Issue link: http://pgaofcanada.uberflip.com/i/390538
31 | FALL 2014 was going the same distance but it was getting there better. I didn't understand why it was doing it, but I just kept hitting balls because it was fun." Are the new irons enough to move Nike up the food chain when it comes to clubs? Davis thinks so. "We are exactly where we want to be and really believe we're well positioned for the next phase," she says. "And we really think the opportunity is to accelerate our leadership in this space. We see a real op- portunity." But truthfully a lot of their success— and that of Nike Golf—rests on Woods' comeback and McIlroy's continued strong play. Is McIlroy's stellar 2014 season an in- dication of what's in store for the future, or could he slump as he did last year? McIlroy says his game is better than ever. "I've had stretches like this before where I felt I played this well before, but I feel I'm in control of my game as much as I've ever been and more so the mental side of it," he said. "I feel really good on the course. I'm happy with my swing, my equipment—everything. I hope it isn't an- other streak. I hope it is something that becomes more common. I'm just trying to play as good as I can and I know if I play like that these results are possible. Hope- fully it isn't a streak—but something that I can continue." But Davis says the golfing world needs more than just McIlroy. It needs a healthy Tiger Woods who can battle with the likes of McIlroy, Adam Scott and others for major championships. "e whole sport misses him when he's not out there," she says. "He has an excite- ment that he brings whenever he's out there. I think the sport needs him to play, Nike Golf needs him to play. He creates energy that draws people to watch him." As for Woods, he completes his conver- sation with a handful of reporters on an upbeat note. He expects to be a big part of Nike's strategy going forward, but recog- nizes the relationship is symbiotic. McIl- roy may be the future of the brand's golf division, but the shadow of Woods will al- ways loom over Nike Golf. "I've been excited to be part of the evo- lutionary process at Nike," he says. "We've grown a lot and we've grown together. ey've helped me win and I've inspired them to keep pushing it and keep getting better product. In the end we all win." And for Nike, there's a lot riding on whether Woods' words are prophetic or simply hopeful.