Nike Golf Athletes Off to a Great Start in 2010 Using New Nike Equipment

BEAVERTON, Ore. (January 11, 2010)--Charl Schwartzel's victory at the PGA European Tour's Africa Open this weekend underscores the early success of Nike Golf athletes right out of the starting blocks in 2010 with the help of Nike Golf's new equipment.  At the start of the 2010 season, Nike athletes have won twice on the PGA European Tour and have posted two top-10 finishes in the PGA Tour's season opener at The SBS Championship, a limited-ield event.

Schwartzel's win followed fellow Nike athlete Pablo Martin's victory at the European Tour's season opener, the Alfred Dunhill Championship.  At the PGA Tour's first event of the season, The SBS Championship, Nike athletes Stewart Cink and Paul Casey finished in the top 10 and Lucas Glover, who led the event for three rounds, finished the tournament tied for 14th.

Schwartzel, who joined Nike Golf in 2008, had a bag full of equipment from Nike's VR line, including the new VR STR8-FIT driver that will become available on February 1, 2010.  Ranking third in greens in regulation with an average of 81%, Schwartzel used the Nike VR Blades and VR wedges along with Nike's successful ONE Tour D ball.

On the PGA Tour, both Cink and Casey used Nike's new VR Tour drivers after switching in December 2009.  Also new to Cink's bag from 2009 are Nike's VR Split Cavity irons.  Casey continues to use the Nike VR Blades.  Both Casey and Cink used the highly anticipated Nike METHOD putters, which also will become available to consumers on February 1, 2010.

Schwartzel's Nike Arsenal

• Driver:  Nike VR STR8-FIT 8.5 degrees
• Fairway Woods: Nike SQ II 13-degree #3 and 19-degree #5
• Irons:  Nike VR Blades (3-PW)
• Wedges:  Nike VR 54 and VR 60 degree
• Ball:  Nike ONE Tour D
• Glove: Nike Dri-Fit Tour
• Apparel: Nike Golf Tour Apparel
• Footwear:  Nike Tour Premium

Nike Golf's 2010 International Victories

• Pablo Martin - Alfred Dunhill Championship (PGA European Tour)
• Charl Schwartzel - Africa Open (PGA European Tour)

Located in Beaverton, Oregon, Nike Golf designs and markets golf equipment, apparel, balls, footwear, bags and accessories worldwide. Nike Golf is passionately dedicated to honouring and respecting the traditions and heritage of the game, and to providing committed golfers with the absolute best equipment in the game.

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For information on Nike Golf Canada, please contact:

Vitalis Gomes
Nike Golf Canada
905.771.2058
vitalis.gomes@nike.com

Tim O'Connor
O'Connor Golf Communications
519.341.4778
tim@oconnorgolf.ca