Strengthens Nike Golf’s PGA Tour Lead in Driver and Iron Wins
BEAVERTON, Ore. (March 27, 2006) – Nike Golf’s Stephen Ames was right on target as he posted a dominating six-stroke victory at last week’s PLAYERS Championship, the PGA Tour’s most prestigious championship outside of golf’s four majors. Nothing knocked him off track to recording Nike Golf’s fifth PGA Tour victory in 12 weeks.
After entering the last day with a one-shot lead at nine-under-par, Ames was unflappable as he kept distancing himself from the strongest field in golf en route to a nearly flawless five-under-par final round of 67. Ames’ pure ball striking, using his Nike SasQuatch Tour driver, Nike Pro Combo irons and the Nike One Platinum ball, led him to two birdies on the front nine, and three birdies and an eagle in the final eight holes. His precision shot making also placed him tied for the championship lead in both driving accuracy and greens in regulation.
To make his remarkable performance all the sweeter, Ames’ ultimate victory further strengthens Nike Golf’s lead on the PGA Tour in driver and iron wins with five, according to the Darrell Survey. In addition, the driver/ball combination of the Nike SasQuatch Driver and Nike One Platinum ball has now won four times, another PGA Tour lead. Since its launch last fall, Nike Golf’s SasQuatch driver has won 11 times globally and seven times on the PGA Tour.
With this, his second PGA Tour career victory, Ames has earned a coveted spot in The Masters field the week after next, along with exemptions into the other three major championships and a five-year exemption on the PGA Tour. His $1,440,000 champion’s check also propels him from 67th on the official PGA Tour money list to sixth. Along with Nike Tour staff Rory Sabbatini, Tiger Woods, and Chad Campbell, Nike athletes now represent four of the top six places on the money list, with Sabbatini sitting in the number one spot.
Along with Ames’ fairway, green and pin-seeking arsenal of the Nike SasQuatch Tour driver, Nike Pro Combo irons, Nike One Platinum ball, are his SasQuatch 3- wood, Nike forged wedges, all used in style by wearing Nike Golf apparel, SP-6 Nike footwear and Dri-fit glove.
Located in Beaverton, Oregon, Nike Golf designs and markets golf equipment, apparel, balls, footwear, bags and accessories worldwide. Nike Golf is passionately dedicated to honoring and respecting the traditions and heritage of the game, and to providing committed golfers with the absolute best equipment in the game. In 2006, Nike Golf’s Tour Staff has accumulated five PGA Tour victories and 21 top-10 finishes. For more information on Nike Golf, visit our Web site at www.nikegolf.com. Editors and journalists in the U.S. seeking editorial information and downloadable images, visit www.nikegolf.com/presscenter. For international journalists, please contact Nike Golf’s public relations representative in respective countries for information.
Contact:
Beth Gast – Nike Golf
(503) 532-8852
Beth.Gast@nike.com
