After all that, nothing. That’s how most golf fans feel about Tiger Woods’ withdraw from this week’s Safeway Open, just three days after the 14-time major champion committed to teeing it up in his first PGA Tour event in 15 months. Had Woods decided to play at Silverado Country Club this week, however, many golf fans may have experienced a similar let down over another much anticipated moment in the Tiger Woods saga.
Ever since Nike decided to shutter its golf equipment business on August 3, speculation has been rampant on what golf clubs Woods would use when he returned to professional golf. Despite all the rumors, it appears that Woods may have only made limited equipment changes for his planned PGA Tour debut, and possibly none away from the Nike brand.
A Snapchat screenshot was posted by member blblco02 yesterday in our “Tiger’s clubs for Safeway” thread that indicates Woods was likely going to stick to Nike clubs at the Safeway Open. Member blblco02 said the photo was taken at Spyglass Hill, a golf course on the Pebble Beach property where Woods was said to be on Monday.
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The elements of the photo make it hard to question its authenticity. The white Tiger Woods-logoed staff bag is topped with 2016 Ryder Cup clubhead covers (Woods was a 2016 Ryder Cup vice captain), as well as Tiger’s signature tiger head cover. It’s strapped to a golf cart that appears to have a pair of Nike prototype Tiger Woods golf shoes in its basket, which Woods was seen wearing at the Ryder Cup.
Inside the bag are Nike’s VR Pro Blades, the irons Woods used to win five PGA Tour events in 2013. He also used them during the 2014 season. Woods was last seen with Nike’s Vapor Pro irons in his bag, which he used for the 2015 season.
The bag also includes at least two bonded-hosel Nike drivers, which appear to be Nike’s Vapor Fly TW prototypes that landed on the USGA’s Conforming Club List this summer.