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Nike Golf on Friday at the WM Phoenix Open

February 4, 2012 By Leave a Comment
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In my continuing my coverage of the Waste Management Phoenix Open, I spent pretty much the entire day at the tournament yesterday. I spent the morning in the media center, creating a few posts for the blog and planning who I would follow in the afternoon. Just after noon I headed to the course, where I was able to follow a few of the Nike Athletes and snap a few pics (Friday I had a photo pass). I found Stewart Cink at the range warming up, and caught him again starting his round on the 10th hole.

I then caught up with Carl Pettersson at the second green, and followed him to the third tee to get some shots of him teeing off. I also was able to get a few more pics of his bag there. Then I caught up with Jamie Lovemark on the adjacent 9th hole (his last if the day), and watched him finish his round there. A few other Nike athletes were on the course that I didn’t get pics of including Anthony Kim and Scott Brown (who played in the same group, I caught up with them as they were walking from the 9th green to the clubhouse), Kevin Chappell (who I also saw walking from 9th green to clubhouse), and Kevin Kisner (who I just missed finishing his round on 18).

All in all it was a fun several days at the WM Phoenix Open. I’m not sure if I’ll make it back out to the tournament this weekend, but if I do I’ll post about it right here on NGN. But I’ll definitely be back next year to follow the Nike Athletes at the Greatest Show on Grass!

Filed Under: Anthony Kim, Athletes, Carl Pettersson, Jamie Lovemark, Kevin Chappell, Kevin Kisner, ngnation.com, Nike Golf, PGA Tour, PGA Tour, Stewart Cink, Tournaments

Nike Golf on Thursday at the WM Phoenix Open

February 3, 2012 By Leave a Comment
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Thursday was another picture-perfect day the TPC Scottsdale, with competition officially underway at the Waste Management Phoenix Open after a 1-hour frost delay. I got to the course around 10 a.m. and headed over to the putting green, however the morning groups were already out on the course, so the range and putting green were pretty deserted. However I did find Nike Athlete Scott Brown working on the putting green. Then I headed to the grandstands at 16 for a bit, then caught up with Carl Pettersson on 15. A nice approach shot left him a long 6o-foot put for eagle, but a great lag put left him a tap-in for birdie. He finished the day at -1, 6 back of leaders Ryan Palmer and Jason Dufner.

I then went back to the putting green, where the afternoon groups were getting ready to play, and I found Anthony Kim and Kevin Chappell there rolling putts. Later I caught up with Stewart Cink on his way to the 10th tee, it looks like he might have some VR_S equipment in his bag but I only got a quick glance. I also caught up with Kevin Chappel on the first tee, where he teed off with his VR Pro LE 3-wood.

I wasn’t able to get any pictures on Thursday (I didn’t have a photo pass), but I’m hoping to get one for Friday where I can shoot some more photos of the Nike Athletes. Check back tomorrow to see photos of the Nike Athletes in Friday’s round.

Filed Under: Anthony Kim, Athletes, Carl Pettersson, Jamie Lovemark, Kevin Chappell, Kevin Kisner, ngnation.com, Nike Golf, PGA Tour, Stewart Cink

Nike Golf on Wednesday at the WM Phoenix Open

February 1, 2012 By 2 Comments
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CORRECTION 2.4.12: On Friday I was able to confirm that Carl Pettersson looks to be gaming a VR Pro driver and an Odyssey long putter. I’ve corrected the post below accordingly.

It was another beautiful day out at the Waste Management Phoenix Open today, the last pro-am and practice day before competition starts tomorrow. It was also my last chance to take photos of some of the Nike Athletes (cameras aren’t allowed on the course Thursday – Sunday). I first came across George McNeill (who I incorrectly said yesterday was Vaughn Taylor, sorry George) on the putting green, again in his Lunar Controls and putting with his Method putter (George is under contract with Nike for footwear and putter). Next I got some shots of Carl Pettersen and Kevin Chappel, who between practice putts were chatting, and Kevin even gave Carl’s long putter a try. Note Kevin’s sharp apparel combination including bright green polo, plaid pants and black/green lunar controls, topped off with a black Nike flat brim.

I was able to get some decent pics of Carl’s and Kevin’s bags, and it looks like Carl might be gaming a VR_S fairway wood and a couple of VR_S hybrids this week. Kevin looks to have a couple of VR Pro LE Fairway Woods in the bag, I couldn’t tell what driver he’s gaming, but I love his putter cover with the large embroidered swoosh. Both players look to be gaming the VR Pro Combo irons and Nike wedges, and Kevin looks to be gaming the Method putter.

I then found Jamie Lovemark hitting full shots at the back end of the short game area. After that Kevin Chappell headed over to the short game area to get in some practice with the wedges. I didn’t see any of the Nike athletes on the range, only Stewart Cink’s bag sitting alone at a hitting station with neither player nor caddy anywhere in sight.

After that I headed back to the putting green where I caught up with Nike-sponsored instructor Brian Mogg. We chatted a bit and talked about the new Method Core Drone and Method Concept putters. A Ping-sponsored athlete came over (I don’t know who it was) who was obviously interested in checking out the Method, and he and Brian talked for a bit. Then Brian gave the Method Core Drone belly putter a few rolls. It was good to see Brian again and I hope to catch up with him again at the Accenture Match Play Championship down in Tucson in a couple of weeks.

The forecast is calling for Chamber of Commerce weather for the next four days, so conditions should be ripe for scoring. I’ll be out at the tourney tomorrow and Friday, not sure about the weekend, but I’m hoping come Sunday afternoon we’ll see a Nike Athlete at the top of the leaderboard challenging for the win.

Filed Under: Athletes, Carl Pettersson, Jamie Lovemark, Kevin Chappell, Kevin Kisner, ngnation.com, Nike Golf, PGA Tour, PGA Tour, Stewart Cink, Tournaments

Nike Golf on Tuesday at the WM Phoenix Open

January 31, 2012 By 1 Comment
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CORRECTION 2.1.12: It was not Vaughn Taylor working with the  Method putter on the putting green, it was George McNeill. George is Nike-sponsored for the Lunar Controls and Method putter. My mistake, I shot the photos from a distance, sorry for the confusion everybody! I’ve corrected the post below, and there are more (and better) photos in my post on Nike Golf on Wednesday at the WM Phoenix Open.

I headed out to the Waste Management Phoenix Open late this afternoon, and found Carl Pettersen doing some work on the range and the short game area. I took some shots with my iPhone (forgive the graininess of the zoomed-in photos), those are in the gallery below.

Also in the gallery are some shots of George McNeill on the putting green — George is Nike-sponsored for the Lunar Controls and Method putter. You can se more photos of George in my post on Nike Golf on Wednesday at the WM Phoenix Open.

Check back during the week for more updates about Nike Golf at the WM Phoenix Open!

Filed Under: Athletes, Carl Pettersson, ngnation.com, Nike Golf, PGA Tour

Tiger Woods Finishes 3rd in Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship

January 29, 2012 By 1 Comment
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After sharing the 54 hole lead, Tiger Woods finished in 3rd place, two shots back of winner, Robert Rock.

While the expectations were high for Tiger after holding a piece of the 54-hole lead, I think there is a lot to take away from this event. Tiger was head to head with Rory McIlroy all through the week and finished well ahead of Donald, Schwartzel and other huge names. I think they will all respect Tiger a little more after this solid finish against a very strong field.

As Tiger said, he needed to dial in his distance on Sunday. No mention of him hitting 2/14 fairways.

Overall, I can’t find anything negative to say about Tiger. I will just let his last 3 starts speak for themselves;

Australian Open – 3rd
Chevron Challenge – 1st
Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship – 3rd

Tiger’s final round score of 72 was his worst of the week after shooting 70, 69 and 66.

Check out the full leaderboard here >>

Look for some more wins this year, folks.

Filed Under: Athletes, European Tour, ngnation.com, Tiger Woods

Tiger Woods Collection at Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship

January 28, 2012 By Leave a Comment
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The public got its first look at the new and improved Tiger Woods Collection when Tiger himself teed it up at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship. As I briefly covered the new collection back in October, I can tell you that the TW Collection is so much more advanced from a technology standpoint than previous collections. It may very well be the lightest and most breathable collection of any golf apparel invented.

Here’s a look at what TW wore Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Thursday: Ultra Light Polo – Gym Green. The Ultra-Light Polo weighs a mere 4.7 oz with a self fabric collar and a snap placket. The swoosh is a decal to further reduce the weight of using embroidery.

Friday: Speed Stripe Polo – White. At 4.1 oz, this shirt has a cool gradient look down the middle.

Saturday: Gradient Stripe Polo – Black. At 5.3 oz, this polo has stylish contrasts of grey with a subtle red stripe.

Check back for Sunday’s Red shirt. I think TW will wear the TW Jacquard Polo in Action Red.

UPDATE:

Sunday: Speed Stripe Polo – Red. Well, TW didn’t pull through for the victory on Sunday, but it was a great improvement and a positive sign for what’s to come this season.  Have a look at Tiger’s Sunday kit. Let’s hope we see him in the final pairing more this year.

Filed Under: Apparel, Athletes, Footwear & Apparel, Shirts, Tiger Woods

VIDEO: My Breakout Year — Jhonattan Vegas

January 23, 2012 By Leave a Comment
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2011 was a breakout year fro Nike Athlete Jhonattan Vegas with his win at the Bob Hope Classic (now the Humana Challenge). In this video on Nike Golf’s YouTube channel, Johnny Vegas (as he’s affectionately become known) talks about motivation, his goals for the 2012 season and the parts of his game he’s working on this year.

MY BREAKOUT YEAR: JHONATTAN VEGAS >>

Filed Under: Athletes, Jhonattan Vegas, ngnation.com, Nike Golf, PGA Tour

Anthony Kim at the Humana Challenge

January 20, 2012 By Leave a Comment
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AK is at the Humana Challenge In Partnership With The Clinton Foundation at his hometown of La Quinta, California this week, and it also marks the debut of his 2012 season. AK chose to wear the new UV Heather Stripe polo in Electric Green from the Spring 2012 Men’s Collection. He paired it with Flat Front Tech pant in black.

Usually donning white shoes and hat, AK went with black Lunar Controls and the black version of the Flat Bill hat.

View AK at the Humana Challenge here.

Filed Under: Anthony Kim, Apparel, Athletes, Footwear & Apparel, Shirts Tagged With: , ,

Press Release: Ross Fisher Joins Nike Golf

January 18, 2012 By Leave a Comment
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-Four-time European Tour winner signs multi-year agreement-

Nike Golf is proud to announce that Ross Fisher, a four-time winner on the European Tour, has joined the Nike Golf Tour Staff.

In switching to exclusively play and wear Nike Golf products, Fisher is making the first manufacturer change during his seven-year career as a tour professional.  The 31-year-old from West London, whose most recent victory was at the Irish Open in 2010, has signed a multi-year agreement to represent the Swoosh from head-to-toe.

Fisher said he was attracted to the energy and innovation that Nike Golf has been bringing to golf since it launched its first equipment line just over 10 years ago.  “Just looking at the history of Nike, it’s all about innovative products that are designed specifically for athletes. Nike Golf is the same. At Nike, golfers are athletes,” said Fisher.

Speaking about his plans for the 2012 season, Fisher said: “My first priority this year is to get back into the world’s top 50, and with the backing and support of my coaches and the team at Nike Golf, I am sure that it’s a realistic goal. Since the end of the season I’ve been working hard on all aspects of my game. I’m really bombing it with the VR Pro Limited Edition driver and I’m looking forward to putting all the new gear into play. At the moment we’re experiencing a golden period for European golf, particularly in Britain, and I just want to be back up there challenging for Majors and another Ryder Cup appearance.”

With four individual wins to his name, and team wins in the 2010 Ryder Cup and Seve Trophy, Fisher remains one of the most talented players of his generation.  Joining the European Tour in 2006, he has won four times in consecutive years from 2007, with victories at the KLM Open, the European Open in 2008, the Volvo World Match Play in 2009, and the 3 Irish Open in 2010, where he fired a second round 61 at Killarney.

A notoriously long and accurate ball striker, Fisher gained the honor of having the lowest cumulative score for the four major championships in 2009, when he finished fifth at The US Open.

“We are excited to welcome Ross into the Nike Golf Family,” said Mark Thaxton, Global Director of Sports Marketing Operations for Nike Golf.  “We look forward to working with him to ensure he is equipped with the best equipment for his game. Ross is a great player, with an aggressive playing style and we are confident he will thrive in 2012.”

Fisher’s first tournament as a Nike Golf athlete will be at the Abu Dhabi Championship, which takes place from January 26-29.

Fisher’s Nike Golf Arsenal
Driver:  Nike VR Pro Limited Edition 8.5-degree
Fairway Wood:  Nike VR Pro Limited Edition 3-wood/15-degree
Hybrid: Nike VR Pro 18-degree
Irons:  Nike VR Pro Blades (3-9)
Wedges: Nike VR Pro 47-, 54- and 60-degree
Putter: Nike Method 001
Ball:  Nike 20XI-X
Apparel:  Nike Golf Tour Performance and Sport Collection
Footwear:  Nike Golf TW 2012

Editor’s Note: The post above is from a press release from Nike Golf.

Filed Under: Athletes, European Tour, ngnation.com, Nike Golf, Ross Fisher

Nike Golf Signs Ross Fisher

January 17, 2012 By 2 Comments
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BOOM! To me, this is the biggest golf news of 2012. This is a huge signing by the swoosh brand. It looks like Damian’s 2011 wish came true, 1 year later. Nike Golf has signed English standout, Ross Fisher.

Here’s a quick overview of Mr. Ross Fisher;

Age – 31
Hometown – Cheam, London
Turned Pro – 2004
European Tour Wins – 4
World Golf Ranking – 104
2008 and 2009 World Cup Member
2010 Ryder Cup Member

Ross gained notoriety after his 2009 season, where he had an impressive finish at all 4 Majors. Take a look;

  • T30 @ Masters
  • 5th @ US Open
  • T13 @ Open Championship
  • T19 @ PGA Championship
He also finished T15 at the 2011 Masters.

The kid is going to win a major. 2011 was a family year for Ross Fisher, as he and his wife had their 2nd child. I’m looking for big things from Ross in 2012. Great work, Nike.

Ross Fisher’s European Tour bio >>  

Filed Under: Athlete Profiles, Athletes, European Tour, ngnation.com, Nike Golf, Ross Fisher