In this Issue

1. 🔚 Tiger splits with Nike

2. 🏆 Kirk wins in Maui

3. 🍴 Quick Bites

   • Max’s homer

   • Kiz wins fans in the NBC booth

   • Woodland and Zalatoris to make their returns

   • Smithy enjoys the Heat

4.  📅 Schedule for the Week

🔚 Tiger splits with Nike

Tiger Woods and long-term sponsor Nike Have parted ways after a 27-year partnership estimated to have pocketed the golfing superstar north of $700 million. Tiger's contract with Nike was signed when he was just 20 years of age and has seen him win 15 majors (second to only Jack Nicklaus) and a record breaking 82 PGA Tour titles (tied for 1st all time with Sam Snead).

There had been speculation for the last couple of months that the future of his relationship with Nike was somewhat uncertain, particularly as the existing contract approached its expiry at the end of 2023. There has also been scuttlebutt online that Nike is clearing the decks to build a war chest to invest in LIV Golf and look to capitalise on possible team equity opportunities (like the Rahm/Callaway deal). Time will tell.

It will be interesting to see if another major brand looks to sign a sponsorship deal with Tiger (he's been wearing Foot Joy shoes lately, particularly after his fusion surgery for plantar fasciitis) or if he seeks to start his own brand. Our money is on Tiger doing his own thing. One thing is for sure, it will be virtually impossible to replicate the success that Tiger and Nike had, and also the great commercials they produced.

🏆Kirk wins in Maui

Chris Kirk has won the opening PGA Tour tournament of the year, The Sentry, at Kapalua’s Plantation Course in Maui. Kirk finished at 29-under, narrowly triumphing over Sahith Theegala at -28 and Jordan Speith at =27. Despite the tournament being a Signature Event for the PGA Tour, with a massive prize purse of $20 million, it was somewhat of a snooze fest with lackluster crowds and fairly predictable golf. As well as bagging the winner’s cheque of $3.6m, Kirk has also secured himself an invite to the Masters in April 2024.

The course was again no match for the pros, who broke the all-time tour birdie record across the week at Kapalua. Recent scoring at The Sentry tournament has been ridiculous - Shankers will recall that Cam Smith won the 2022 tournament with an unbelievable score of 32-under - showing that the course is clearly not a Par 73 layout, and a rethink of the tournament setup is probably required to inject some challenge and interest back into the opening event of the year.

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For the Aussies, Jason Day and his new Malbon attire were in contention going into the final round, but his six-under 67 on Sunday was only good enough to secure T10. The other Aussie in the field, Cameron Davis, finished well back at T52 (bearing in mind it was a 60-man no cut field).

🍴 Quick Bites

Here are some quick bites for you to snack on:

• Max’s homer - Max Homa recorded the longest drive on the PGAT since 2003, launching a 477-yard bomb at the Plantation Course in Maui. In true Max Homa style, he took to X in his usual self-deprecating way to parody his monstrous drive and the conditions which helped.

• Kiz wins fans in the NBC booth - As Shankers will recall, NBC is on a mission to find a suitable replacement for their former lead golf analyst, Paul Azinger, who’s contract was not renewed by the broadcaster. Kevin Kisner had his chance in the booth at The Sentry tournament and certainly won over his fair share of fans with his laconic and laid-back southern style and charm. Rumour has it that Australian Geoff Ogilvy is also being considered by NBC and we may see him pony up in the booth alongside Dan Hicks shortly. Depsite Kiz’s early popularity, he is reported to have said he still has plenty on-course that he wants to achieve, so a career change for him may not be immediately in the wings.

• Woodland and Zalatoris to make their returns - Popular golfers Gary Woodland and Will Zalatoris are due to make their returns to professional golf at the Sony Open in Hawaii later this week. Woodland had surgery late last year for a brain tumour and Zalatoris has been rehabbing from a debilitating back injury over most of 2023. We wish both players the best of luck for their return tournament this week.

• Smithy enjoys the Heat - Cam Smith certainly has been enjoying his time in hometown Brisbane. He's been spotted practising at Royal Queensland Golf Club and played a round at RQ with Brisbane Heat players Sam Billings and Matt Renshaw. In return, the Heat hosted Smithy at the Gabba for their game against the Hurricanes this week and he also guest starred in the commentary booth for the Sixers game. Smithy’s presence is clearly having an impact with the Heat riding high on top of the ladder and currently undefeated 🔥🔥🔥.

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📅 Schedule for the Week

Your golfing schedule for the week, and how to watch is below:

• PGAT: The Sony Open - Wai’alae Country Club (Hawaii), $7.9m purse, Friday 12/1 to Monday 15/1 - Coverage on Foxtel & Kayo, starts 10am AEST Friday.

• DPWT: Dubai Invitational - Dubai Creek Resort (UAE), $2.5m purse, Thursday 11/1 to Sunday 14/1 - Coverage on Foxtel & Kayo, starts 7pm AEST Thursday.

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Thanks again for your support and readership. We’ll be back next week and leave you with one of the longest putts ever made (either on or off course)…