Tiger Woods has signed a new five-year
deal to play Titleist clubs and balls, SportsLine confirmed Friday. An
official announcement is expected Monday.
Woods, 23, the top-ranked golfer
in the world, has played Titleist equipment since he turned professional
in 1996. Titleist's parent company, the Achushnet Co., sued Nike Inc. on
June 25 because two popular Nike Golf ads featuring Woods gave the impression
that he uses Nike Golf equipment. As a result of this new agreement, the
lawsuit has been dropped, but Woods will no longer carry a Titleist golf
bag.
Woods reportedly earned $20 million
for his previous five-year agreement with Titleist.
Mark Steinberg of International
Management Group, Woods' agent, would neither confirm nor deny the new
deal. However, he conceded Woods will have a new sponsor on his bag.
"Let's just say there is a lot
of interest,'' Steinberg said.
Woods has been relaxing in Florida
and working on his game since helping lead the U.S. to a stirring come-from-behind
victory over Europe in the Ryder Cup.
