Rory McIlroy is now officially with Nike Golf. Nike Golf President Cindy Davis introduced McIlroy at a ceremony today in Abu Dhabi, where the world’s No. 1 ranked player and two-time major champion is competing in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship.
Davis declined to reveal terms of the contract, but reports have had the money as high as $250 million over 10 years. More recent reports have dialed that number back, but it’s likely to be the largest contract ever for a Nike Golf staff player, even than the $100 million contract Tiger Woods originally received more than a decade ago.
“I play golf for titles, not money,” McIlroy said when asked about the contract.
Woods and McIlroy, by the way, each appear in a Nike Golf commercial that will debut worldwide on Wednesday. Woods also appeared at the ceremony, in a taped video, welcoming McIlroy to the Nike Golf fold.
McIlroy will play Nike’s new VR_S Covert driver (10.5 degrees); VR Pro Limited fairway woods (15 and 19 degrees ; VR Pro Blades (3-PW); VR Pro wedges (54 and 60 degrees); Method 006 prototype putter and Nike Golf’s next-generation 20XIx golf ball.
He’ll wear Nike Golf Tour Performance apparel and Nike Lunar Control footwear.