Issue link: http://pgaofcanada.uberflip.com/i/390538
29  | FALL 2014 E ighteen months ago the talk about McIlroy and Nike was different. Newly minted as Nike's latest face of golf, and paid a boatload of cash to walk away from Titleist, McIlroy had all eyes on him. And then he stumbled out of the gate and withdrew from the Honda Classic. He blamed his withdrawal on problematic dental work; televi- sion pundits blamed his equipment. e truth was some- where in between. "I think everyone was looking for a reason or an excuse and I think that was the one thing they could find when it wasn't the case at all," he says. "obviously when you're chang- ing clubs there will be a transition period, but I wasn't playing my best. You have ups and downs and they coincided with me making the switch to Nike." Shockingly as McIlroy's fortunes changed—coinciding not accidentally with his winning ways this year, including the British open and the PGA Championship—suddenly the discussion about his equipment disappeared. "obviously all of that talk has died down and I'm swinging the club better," he says. "e equipment is fantastic and I'm in a good position with my game and my swing." at doesn't mean there's any less focus on McIlroy. With Woods' injuries and the Irishman's rise to the top of the golf- ing world, Nike is increasingly turning to McIlroy to lead its golf brand. At a time when the naysayers are signaling the continued struggle of the sport, Nike is banking on McIlroy to be its future. "We've built a really strong golf business that has been profitably growing," says Cindy Davis, president of Nike Golf. "It is fundamental with Nike. We go out and find the best ath- letes and we tell their stories. We were able to do it with Tiger and now we're doing it with Rory." But how does one gauge the interest in McIlroy? Aer all, Nike's connection with Woods is now nearly two decades old, but the company hasn't made huge inroads into the club business. What's the difference with McIlroy? Davis says there's anecdotal evidence to suggest the latest face of its brand might even surpass Woods. >>