For more than a decade, Nike Golf apparel and footwear teams have collaborated closely with athletes to create head-to-toe looks for each day of competition during the sport’s four Major Championships.
That tradition continues as six Nike Golf athletes prepare for the first Major of 2014. Under the theme of Engineered for Greatness, athletes Rory McIlroy, Russell Henley, Francesco Molinari, Thorbjorn Olesen, Charl Schwartzel and Nick Watney will be armed head-to-toe with a focus on full-range-of-motion construction; lightweight, breathable materials; and modern style.
“We listen to our athletes to understand what is going to make them feel most comfortable and confident so that they can play their best,” says Merritt Richardson, VP Global Golf Apparel. “Those insights are helping us to deliver innovations that address what matters most to golfers – maximized range of motion, minimal distractions and supreme comfort, all while showcasing a modern look of golf that enhances the athletic form.”
McIlroy will be sporting one of the key styles of the season, the Lightweight Innovation Colour polo, all four days of the tournament.
“These polos are really lightweight and comfortable,” says McIlroy. “I like that I know how it’s going to feel day to day, and there’s no distracting seams or material – I can just focus on my game.”
The Lightweight Innovation Colour polo is available in a variety of bold, colour-blocking combinations to pair with a variety of head-to-toe looks, including pants, shoes, belts and caps.
Here’s what Nike Athletes will have on the body and in the bag:
Rory McIlroy
McIlroy will sport the new Lightweight Innovation Colour polo all four days of the tournament in a range of bold and confident colors. The ultra-lightweight polo features bonded shoulder seams; laser-cut armholes, placket and pocket; and perforated collar for breathability and cooling. The two-time Major champion will pair each polo with the Modern Tech Pant, Tour Mesh Cap, Modern Plaque Belt and Nike Lunar Control footwear. Driver and ball: Nike VRS Covert 2.0 Tour driver and Nike RZN Black ball.
Russell Henley
The 2014 Honda Classic winner will wear lightweight looks from the Nike Tour Performance collection, including: The Ultra Polo 2.0; Core Body Mapping Polo; and the Nike Ultra Stripe Polo 2.0. If temperatures are chilly, Henley can warm up the new Nike Innovation Woven Cover-up, featuring a woven body and 3D engineered knit sleeve construction. He’ll sport the Flat Front Tech pant, Tall Tour Visor and Signature Swoosh Logo Cutout II Belt, and lace up in Nike Lunar Control footwear. Driver and ball: Nike VRS STR8-FIT driver and Nike RZN Black ball.
Francesco Molinari
In the hunt for his first major championship, Molinari will wear four different polos from the Nike Tour Performance collection, including the Ultra Polo 2.0 featuring stretchy Dri-FIT material and a full range-of-motion construction built to move with his body through the swing. He’ll also sport the Flat Front Tech pant, Innovation Woven Cover-up, Tour Mesh Cap, Nike Reversible Belt and Lunar Control footwear. Driver and ball: Nike Covert 2.0 driver and Nike RZN Black ball.
Thorbjorn Olesen
Olesen will play the first round in Nike’s Sport Chest Pocket polo with a slim-fit design for a modern, versatile look. He’ll follow that with the Innovation Colour Block polo and mobility-enhanced Ultra Polo 2.0. Olesen will pair each polo with the Nike Flat Front Tech pant, Innovation Woven Cover-up, Flat Bill Tour Cap, Square Perforated Reversible Belt and Nike Lunar Control shoes. Driver and ball: Nike VRS Covert 2.0 Tour driver and Nike RZN Black ball.
Charl Schwartzel
The 2011 Masters champion will sport a range of lightweight polos in greys, blacks and whites, with the exception being his Innovation Cool polo on Saturday in Purple Fade. The Innovation Cool polo is constructed with 100 percent Dri-FIT jersey material to keep Schwartzel cool and dry on the course. He’ll round out his arsenal with the Flat Front Tech pant, Innovation Woven Cover-up, Tour Mesh cap, Nike Reversible belt and Lunar Control footwear. Driver and ball: Nike VRS Covert 2.0 Tour driver and Nike ONE Tour D ball.
Nick Watney
Watney will suit up in apparel from the Nike Tour Performance collection. He’ll sport the Innovation Colour Block polo; Innovation Season Stripe polo; and Innovation Protect polo, featuring spandex Dri-FIT jersey material for stretch and mobility. He’ll pair each top with the Flat Front Tech pant, Innovation Woven Cover-up, Flat Bill Tour cap, Signature Swoosh Logo Cutout II belt and Nike Lunar Control footwear. Driver and ball: Nike VRS Covert 2.0 driver and Nike RZN Platinum ball.
Nike Golf www.nike.com/nikegolf