Nike Golf’s Shingo Katayama Coasts to Victory at the Fujisankei Classic in Japan
BEAVERTON, Ore. (September 5, 2006) – Tiger Woods’ astounding winning streak since The British Open Championship in July continued with the capture of his fifth PGA Tour title in consecutive starts at the Deutsche Bank Classic in Norton, Massachusetts. This win is the 53rd PGA Tour victory of his career and his seventh PGA Tour victory of the season.
Woods began the final round three strokes behind Vijay Singh, but it didn’t take him long to produce the right shots at the right time to take control of the tournament in typical Tiger-like fashion. It took him only three holes to tie Singh and five holes to take the outright lead.
Woods quickly made his statement on the front nine after hitting his Nike Blade 6-iron to within 10 feet on the par-5 second hole and making eagle to move himself to within only one shot behind Singh. He birdied the third and fifth holes and posted his second eagle on the par-5 seventh hole after hitting it on in two with his Nike Ignite 15-degree 3-wood. Time and time again, Woods exhibited precise shotmaking and complete control around the greens thanks to the Nike One Platinum ball.
Accompanying his Nike Forged Blade irons and Ignite fairway wood en route to his victory was his Nike Golf’s SasQuatch Driver, 56 and 60-degree Nike wedges. Woods also featured Nike Golf apparel from the Tiger Woods Collection, Nike DRI-Fit Tour glove and the new Nike SP-8 TW Tour footwear, featuring the new Power Platform technology.
His performance this year has been nothing short of amazing and mirrors the success of Nike Golf as members of its Tour Staff have combined to win 13 PGA Tour titles, making it a banner year for Nike Golf. In 2006, Nike Golf has generated 22 global wins and continues to dominate the PGA Tour. Nike Golf’s athletes have propelled Nike Golf to prominent success:
· 13 wins on the PGA Tour
· 9 wins internationally
· One win on the Nationwide Tour
· Leads the PGA Tour with most driver wins with 13
· Leads the PGA Tour with most iron wins with 13
· Leads the PGA Tour with most wedge wins with 13
· Leads the PGA Tour with most fairway woods wins with 12
· 12 PGA Tour victories with Nike One Platinum ball
While Woods was performing his winning ways on U.S soil, Nike Golf’s Shingo Katayama added his second victory this season at the Japan Golf Tour’s Fujisankei Classic. Ranked number one on the Japan Golf Tour money list, Katayama won the Fujisankei Classic by a comfortable three strokes over Chinese star Liang Wen Chong.
Katayama used the revolutionary SasQuatch Driver, known for having the highest Moment of Inertia (MOI) in golf, a visually distinctive yellow sole design and lower center of gravity. Through the power of geometry, the SasQuatch provides more forgiveness, greater distance and better accuracy.
Completing his arsenal of Nike Golf equipment, Katayama also used the SasQuatch Fairway woods, Nike Golf’s Pro Combo OS irons as well as the 51 and 58-degree Nike wedges. Adding to the number of wins of Nike Golf’s premier Nike One Ball series, Katayama captured his second victory with the Nike One Black ball this year, bringing to 23 global wins by Nike Golf’s One Ball family.
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 PGA Tour Staff has accumulated 13 PGA tour victories and 58 top-10 finishes, as well as one victory on the Nationwide Tour and nine additional international wins. 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
