USA TODAY International Edition
MCILROY IN NO RUSH TO SWITCH CLUBS
Rory McIlroy didn’t find out that Nike was going to stop making golf equipment until two hours before the company made the announcement the first week of August.
Now he has three years’ worth of Nike golf balls at his ready.
McIlroy and Tiger Woods are the two biggest stars in Nike’s golf stable, and both say they will keep wearing the Swoosh as Nike will continue in the golf business with its apparel and shoes lines. But McIlroy said Wednesday at The Barclays at Bethpage Black that he’s still trying to figure out what to do in the future.
“I’m very happy with pretty much everything,” said McIlroy, who has put his Nike putter away for a different brand. “At least I’ve got a golf ball that I like and that I know that I can play well with. … It was a shock to all of us. I’m hitting the ball well. That’s not the issue. My issue over the past few months has been I just haven’t been able to get the ball in the hole ( with the putter).
“We’ll see where we go from here. I’m not going to commit to anything. I wouldn’t be surprised to see me not go with a manufacturer for a year or two, just sort of play with what I want to play, play with what I’m comfortable with, and go from there.”
McIlroy has enough sets of irons and wedges and metal woods to last him a long time, too. But he has only one driver, saying he has never been able to find a proper Nike backup. If it breaks, he doesn’t know what he’ll do.
At least he won’t have any problems making a change if he decides to do so. Or trying out different equipment. His parents’ home in Northern Ireland has been inundated with clubs from many equipment companies.
“I haven’t asked for it, but it’s there,” he said. “My dad is having a field day. … Again, I’m happy with everything right now. I don’t think it’s the time or the place to change what I feel like I’m very comfortable with.
“Obviously, working with the Nike guys over the last number of years, they have gotten to know me and my specific tendencies and what I like in golf clubs. No reason to start changing just because I can. I’m comfortable with everything.”