BEAVERTON, Ore. (April 25, 2011) – Wins by Nike Golf athletes this season continue to accelerate. Nike athlete Kumiko Kaneda recorded her first career victory at the Fuji-Sankei Classic on the Japan LPGA Tour. This marks the third victory by a Nike athlete in consecutive weeks, following Nike athlete Charl Schwartzel’s win at The Masters and John Cook’s win last week at the Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am on the Champions Tour. Kaneda’s victory brings to eight the number of wins by Nike Golf athletes around the globe in 2011.
Kaneda, a three-year member of the JLPGA Tour, overcame a five-shot deficit by recording a 66 in the final round to secure her title. Kaneda utilized an arsenal of Nike Golf products, mostly consisting of Nike’s SQ Machspeed woods and irons. Kaneda, who now leads the money list on the JLPGA Tour and is ranked second in scoring average, was very pleased with how she performed with her Nike Golf equipment.
“I was able to make very stable shots with my drivers and irons,” said Kaneda. “The driver helped the balls to fly long and the irons took the balls where I wanted them. I don’t want to be complacent with this one victory, and I hope this will lead to a second and third win.”
Rounding out her bag of Nike Golf equipment was her 50-, 54- and 58-degree VR Pro Wedges and the Nike ONE Vapor Speed ball. Kaneda also wore the very popular Nike Air Embellish footwear as well as Nike Golf apparel from the 2011 Spring/Summer Women’s Collection.
Kaneda’s Nike Arsenal
• Driver: Nike SQ Machspeed (STR8-FIT) 9.5-degree
• Fairway Woods: Nike SQ Machspeed 15-degree, 19-degree and 21-degree
• Irons: Nike SQ Machspeed Forged (5-PW)
• Wedges: Nike VR Pro 50-degree, 54-degree and 58-degree
• Ball: Nike ONE Vapor Speed
• Apparel: Nike Golf Women’s Collection
• Footwear: Nike Air Embellish
Nike Golf’s 2011 PGA Tour Victories
• Charl Schwartzel – The Masters Tournament
• Jhonattan Vegas – Bob Hope Classic
Nike Golf’s 2011 International Victories
• Paul Casey – Volvo Golf Champions (PGA European Tour)
• Charl Schwartzel – Joburg Open (PGA European Tour)
• Pablo Martin – Alfred Dunhill Championship (PGA European Tour)
Nike Golf’s 2011 Champions Tour Victories
• John Cook – Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am
• John Cook – Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai
Nike Golf’s 2011 Japan LPGA Tour Victories
• Kumiko Kaneda – Fuji-Sankei Classic
About Nike Golf
Located in Beaverton, Oregon, Nike Golf designs and markets golf equipment, apparel, balls, footwear, bags and accessories worldwide. Nike Golf is passionately dedicated to ushering in the future of this great game by developing ground-breaking innovations that enable athletes to perform at their physical and mental peak. For more information on Nike Golf, visit our Web site at www.nikegolf.com
Contact:
Beth Gast – Nike Golf
503.532.8852
beth.gast@nike.com
Gretchen Wilhelm – Nike Golf
503.532.6236
gretchen.wilhelm@nike.com
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