Tiger Woods tees off on the thirteenth gap in the course of the ultimate spherical of the PNC Championship golf match, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023, in Orlando, Fla.

Kevin Kolczynski/AP

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Kevin Kolczynski/AP

Tiger Woods tees off on the thirteenth gap in the course of the ultimate spherical of the PNC Championship golf match, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023, in Orlando, Fla.

Kevin Kolczynski/AP

Tiger Woods is not a Nike athlete after 27 years, ending a partnership between the swoosh and golf’s greatest star and elevating questions on the way forward for each within the sport.

Woods in a social media post thanked Nike co-founder Phil Knight for his “passion and vision” that introduced Nike and the Nike Golf partnership with Woods collectively.

“Over 27 years ago, I was fortunate to start a partnership with one of the most iconic brands in the world,” Woods wrote. “The days since have been filled with so many amazing moments and memories, if I started naming them, I could go on forever.”

Mark Steinberg, his agent at Excel Sports, confirmed the top of the deal that started in 1996 when Woods turned professional and inside eight month had already received 4 occasions and shattered information in a watershed Masters victory.

“It was time for the next chapter,” Steinberg instructed The Associated Press. “Amazing run. Great partnership.”

Nike additionally posted to social media, saying in a photograph, “It was a hell of a round, Tiger.”

“Tiger, you challenged your competition, stereotypes, conventions, the old school way of thinking,” the Nike put up was captioned. “You challenged the entire institution of golf. You challenged us. And most of all, yourself. And for that challenge we’re grateful.”

Woods signed a five-year deal value $40 million when he turned professional in 1996 after his unprecedented third straight U.S. Amateur title. It was stunning cash on the time to most within the trade besides Nike, and his father.

“Chump change,” the late Earl Woods as soon as stated, and he was confirmed appropriate. Woods renewed the deal believed to be value over $100 million in 2000. As recognizable as any athlete on the earth, Woods grew to become the face of Nike Golf and had his personal “TW” model.

On the golf course, Woods set information because the youngest to win the Grand Slam at age 24, the one participant to carry all 4 main titles on the identical time and his 15-shot win on the U.S. Open, the most important margin for a serious in golf historical past.

But there have been indicators lately of a fractured relationship. Woods returned from his February 2021 automobile crash that shattered bones in his proper leg by sporting FootJoy sneakers, saying it was a greater really feel contemplating his accidents.

Woods remained in them — Nike has a protracted historical past making sneakers — even till the PNC Championship final month that he performed together with his son.

When requested about his take care of Nike, Woods replied, “I’m still wearing their product,” and sternly repeating the phrase when requested if this was the top of his deal.

More than only a face, Woods unwittingly delivered massive moments for Nike, none better than his 2005 Masters victory when he hit a pitch from under the sixteenth inexperienced that went up the slope after which rolled again towards the opening. The ball hung on the edge for a full second — the swoosh in full view — earlier than it dropped. It stays one of the crucial well-known moments in golf’s most-watched match.

He additionally was filming a industrial one yr when between takes, Woods started bouncing the golf ball off his membership. That led to a spot the place he bounced the ball off the membership, between his legs, behind his again, earlier than hitting the ball in mid-air.

“Throughout the course of our partnership, we have witnessed along with the rest of the world, how Tiger not only redefined the sport of golf, but broke barriers for all of sport,” Nike stated in a press release. “We watched him set records, challenge conventional thinking and inspire generations of people around the globe. We are grateful to have been a part of it. We wish him the best in the future.”

Woods has received 15 majors, second solely to Jack Nicklaus (18), and his 82 profession PGA Tour victories are tied with Sam Snead. But he has been slowed lately by 5 again surgical procedures, shattered ligaments in his rebuilt left knee, the 2021 automobile crash and age. He turned 48 on the finish of final yr.

Nike stood by him when his private life imploded in 2009 over extramarital affairs, and when his schedule was diminished vastly due to leg and again accidents. Woods remarkably returned from fusion surgical procedure to win the Masters in 2019, his fifth inexperienced jackets.

Nike additionally has proven indicators of slowing its golf enterprise. It determined to get out of the onerous items enterprise in 2016, sending Woods to play completely different golf equipment and a unique golf ball.

The firm nonetheless has a secure of golfers sporting its attire — together with Scottie Scheffler, the world’s No. 1 participant who wears a “TW” model shoe — though former No. 1 Jason Day didn’t renew his deal this yr and switched to a unique attire firm.

Woods has been optimistic that he can play as soon as a month in 2024, which seemingly is to start out on the Genesis Invitational in Los Angeles subsequent month.

Steinberg stated he was engaged on a brand new deal and that “I anticipate there could be an exciting announcement” on the Genesis Invitational.

Woods indicated the identical.

“People will ask if there is another chapter,” Woods wrote in his put up. “Yes, there will certainly be another chapter. See you in LA!”