Nike Golf?s New SUMO Round and Square Drivers Capture Wins on the PGA TOUR Prior to Hitting the Market on SUMO Saturday on February 2, 2008
The amazing momentum for Nike Golf continues to soar as it began the 2008 PGA Tour season right where it left off in 2007 – with a win. Nike Golf Tour Staff member K.J. Choi won his seventh PGA Tour career title by three strokes at the Sony Open, and with his victory came extra distance. Using Nike’s new ONE Platinum Ball, which features Nike’s innovative Power Transfer Technology, Choi averaged 307 yards in driving distance, which is an increase of 23 yards compared to his 2007 average distance of 284 yards. Due in stores on February 1, the Nike ONE Platinum and ONE Black Balls include Power Transfer Technology that promote increased distance in metal woods, long irons and off center hits. Nike’s Power Transfer Technology, with its thick advanced polymer located inside the mantle layer, increases ball speed and generates power and energy to ensure enhanced distance for a wider range of clubs in the bag. Choi became the second member of Nike Golf’s Tour staff to win with Nike’s new ONE Platinum ball following Tiger Woods, who won the 2007 Target World Challenge.
Also a key in assisting him to victory was a new addition to his Nike Golf arsenal, the Nike SUMO 5000 (round-shaped driver). By choosing to use the SUMO 5000 at the Sony Open, Choi was able to work the ball in very windy conditions on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. Choi has had remarkable success using drivers from the Nike SUMO family, having won four PGA Tour events – three with Nike’s SUMO” (squared) driver, which enabled him to hit it straight and long, and one with the SUMO 5000 driver, which allowed him to shape the ball and still benefit from extra distance. He becomes the second Nike Golf athlete to have won with the new SUMO drivers prior to hitting the market on SUMO Saturday, February 2, 2008. In early November, 2007, Ames captured the PGA Tour season-ending Children’s Miracle Network with the SUMO” Tour (square-shaped) driver.
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Choi’s Sony Open Highlights
– Choi’s win at the Sony Open is his seventh PGA Tour title.
– Had a scoring average of 64.77 after the second round.
– Is the Sony Open’s sixth wire-to-wire winner.
– Averaged 307-yard drives representing a 23-yard increase over his driving distance average in 2007.
– Using the Nike Blades and a Nike Ignite 3-iron, Choi ranked tied for fourth in Greens in Regulation with an average of 75%.
– Won by three strokes.
Choi’s Nike Golf Arsenal
– Driver: Nike SQ SUMO 5000
– Irons: 3 iron – Nike Ignite; 4-9 irons – Nike Blades;
– Wedges: Nike Pro Combo 54˚ and Nike SV 60˚
– Ball: New Nike ONE Platinum featuring Nike Power Transfer Technology
– Footwear: SP 8.5 TW Tour
– Apparel: Nike Golf Apparel
– Glove: Nike Golf’s Dri-FIT Tour
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Nike Golf’s Sony Open Highlights
– Choi’s win is the first win for Nike Golf in 2008.
– Nike Golf had three top-10 finishes in the Sony Open: K.J. Choi (1); Stephen Ames and Chad Campbell (T10).
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Nike Golf’s 2008 PGA Tour Victories
– K.J. Choi – Sony Open
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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 2008, Nike Golf’s PGA Tour staff has one win and five top-10 finishes. In 2007, Nike Golf had 13 PGA Tour wins, seven Nationwide Tour victories and eight international titles. For the last two years, Nike Golf has led the PGA Tour in driver, fairway woods and iron 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.
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