New year, new team for Matthew Wolff. Not talking about RangeGoats GC here; the American Pro seems to have found a new team of sponsors as well. After a practice video from LIV Golf indicated the shift, we got further confirmation that Wolff had swapped Nike and TaylorMade for FootJoy and Ping. 

Wolff’s overhaul is part of the broader trend in 2024. Jason Day, the former World No.1, has also ditched Nike in favor of Malbon Golf. Tiger Woods seems to be on the verge of cutting ties with Nike. Wolff seemed to have gone one step further and changed his arsenal as well.

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Matthew Wolff has new gears and new kicks

Golf Lover UK, the host of the Golf Lovers United GC Podcast, shared two screengrabs from the LIV Golf video. Pointing out that Wolff was using a Ping driver and wearing FootJoy shoes, the host wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “Playing a Ping 435 and wearing FootJoys. That is TaylorMade and Nike out.”

The choice of FootJoy kicks was significant because Tiger Woods, too, has been wearing FootJoys since the 2022 Masters. On the other hand, Bubba Watson, Wolff’s new captain, is a Ping ambassador. The 24-year-old is perhaps showing the first signs of Watson’s influence, as pointed out by Golf Lover UK. 

Interestingly enough, Matthew Wolff’s X profile bio still reads, “Team TaylorMade. Team Nike.” Moreover, it was also not clear whether the 2019 3M winner had ditched Nike altogether or if the change was only for footwear. The American International used to sport the swoosh on his tee shirts as well. 

Nevertheless, Wolff’s change is a worrying sign and comes amidst major shakeups in the sponsorship world. From Day’s Nike exit to Schauffle’s new partnership, it seems a wind of change is blowing strong in the golf world.

Are the old guards falling behind?

Jason Day switched to Malbon Golf, a streetwear apparel brand inspired by golf, in search of a change. Although World No.1, Scottie Scheffler has stuck to Nike, reports indicate Woods and Brooks Koepka, are planning to switch once TaylorMade lands on the scene. The job postings on TaylorMade’s website indicate the OEM is planning to expand its apparel business. 

Read More: A Sign of Times in the PGA Tour? Does Jason Day’s Nike Snub Pave the Path for New Entrants in the Market?

However, it’s not just Nike that is facing setbacks. Xander Schauffele, a long-time Adidas ambassador, was sporting Descente clothes in the ongoing Sentry. Confirming the rumor, the Japanese brand’s official website lists him as a Descente athlete as well. Wolff’s, Day’s, and Schauffele’s decisions indicate that perhaps it’s time for new brands to dominate the golf scene.

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