McIlroy in club limbo after Nike pull out

ONE minute Nike was there and – swoosh – it was gone. If someone had told Rory McIlroy at the start of the year that by the first week of August he would not be holding a Major title and would also be without a clubmaker, he would have found the first scenario unpalatable – and the second utterly absurd.

A day on from the announcement that the Oregon giant will stop producing clubs and balls and concentrate solely on apparel and footwear, the sport continued to reel. To say this was not expected is an understatement. In January, Nike signed 14 new players and seemed to be playing the long game.

But with the company’s sales dropping more than eight per cent to $704million (€630m) with their running division generating more than €4.5billion, Nike decided it was no longer worth it and elected to make only what they wear and not what they swing and hit. After more than a decade, and with so much exposure, Nike could still claim only nine per cent of market share. Tiger Woods and McIlroy (right) used the clubs and balls; Joe Bloggs and his mates did not.

After Nike just went and did it, the ramifications are unclear. With falling participation levels leading to falling profit margins and other, larger equipmentmakers such as adidas also looking to get out of a shrinking industry, what it means to the game at large will take years to play out. Short term, the attention will inevitably focus on McIlroy and, of course, the superstar synonymous with its range – Woods. Wisely, McIlroy directed his immediate attention to those in danger of losing their jobs, posting on Twitter: “Sad for @nikegolf employees that worked so hard and made genuinely great golf equipment. Your support will always be appreciated.” McIlroy switched to Nike at the beginning of 2013 on an initial five-year deal reported to be worth £15million a year, with another five-year option. The primary contract is up at the end of next year and surely he will not doing anything rash with the Ryder Cup approaching next month. In fact, it is possible that the 27-year-old will see it out with his existing clubs and use the same ball.

It is from a playing perspective that McIlroy may harbour most fears. In 2013, he endured his worst campaign since becoming a Majorwinner in 2011 as he struggled to get used to new clubs.

On the course, meanwhile American trio Vaughan Taylor, Andrew Loupe and Jerry Kelly were early clubhouse leaders at the Travelers Championship in Connecticut last night.

They shot six-under-par 64s to set the early pace. Shane Lowry had just two birdies in his one-under 69, with Riobound Pádraig Harrington one shot worse after a level-par 70. (© Daily Telegraph, London) Travelers Championship Live, Sky Sports 4, 8.0pm