January 14, 2013
Rory McIlroy’s rocket ride to immortality publicly entered its second phase Monday with the official announcement of his sponsorship with Nike, whose equipment and apparel he will exhibit starting this week at his 2013 debut beside Tiger Woods, Nike’s first golfing icon, in the United Arab Emirates.
To reach the next stratosphere of stardom, McIlroy, 23, of Northern Ireland, had to separate from Titleist, the club and ball manufacturer that got him started, and ride the global marketing might of Nike, which, he said in a news conference, “has always been associated with the best athletes in the world.”
McIlroy, the world No. 1 and the only active golfer younger than 40 other than Woods to have at least two major titles, joins a constellation of sports superstars representing the swoosh label that includes Woods, the tennis player Roger Federer and the Miami Heat’s LeBron James. “It’s a proud moment for me, and something I’ve been looking forward to,” McIlroy said.
The terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the contract is reported to be worth as much as $100 million over five years to $250 million over 10 years provided McIlroy reaches a long list of incentives. Although the money is mind-boggling, McIlroy suggested that his motivation was less about building his bank account than his brand when he said: “It’s a company and a brand that really resonates with me. It’s young. It’s athletic. It’s innovative. They are committed to being the best, as am I. Signing with Nike is another step towards living out my dream.”
The path of golfers who have cashed in on their success by changing equipment is well-traveled and includes Phil Mickelson, who moved to Callaway from Titleist in the wake of his victory at the 2004 Masters, and McIlroy’s countryman Graeme McDowell, who jumped to Cleveland and Srixon from Callaway after winning the 2010 United States Open.
Mickelson won four times on tour in 2005. The adjustment is not always so seamless. It took McDowell nearly two years to record his first victory with his new clubs. Golf being equal parts mechanical and mental, it is impossible to predict how a new club will affect a player’s swing or scores.
Change always carries risk, but McDowell has little reason to fret for McIlroy. “I think 20 years ago, it would have been a monster move and perhaps a mistake,” McDowell said last month. “I think as we sit here, there’s about 6, 8, 10 golf manufacturers on the planet that are making incredibly good equipment, and I don’t think there’s such a thing as inferior equipment nowadays.”
McIlroy, who had four PGA Tour victories in 2012, including his second major, said he had thoroughly tested the Nike equipment and was buoyed by the results. “I’m getting more distance out of the driver and the ball,” he said. “I’m comfortable with the irons.” He added, “I’m excited to put the clubs in play.”
McIlroy and Woods have forged a friendship, but McIlroy insisted he was not influenced by Woods. “I didn’t speak about it to Tiger,” he said, adding, “We didn’t talk about it at all until after it was all done.”
Of course, after it was all done, they filmed a commercial in which they try to one-up each other. The spot, which will start appearing this week, calls to mind a McDonald’s commercial in the 1990s featuring Michael Jordan and Larry Bird engaged in a game of Horse.
Asked last month about equipment changes during his tournament last month at Sherwood Country Club, Woods said it could take anywhere from a few weeks to more than a year to become comfortable with new equipment. “It’s worth it in the end if you get it right, and over the course of my career, I haven’t put anything in my bag unless I knew it was already better,” Woods said. “But that’s just because of all the testing I’ve done prior to that.”
He added: “Forget what it does on the range, or it’s important what it does on the range, but what is it going to do on the back nine on Sunday? Is this equipment, in general, is this going to help me win golf tournaments?”
After winning last year’s P.G.A. Championship by eight shots, McIlroy could be forgiven for feeling as if he could put persimmon woods in his bag and win. Only time will tell whether McIlroy’s gamble rockets him to the next level or fizzles.
from: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/15/sports/golf/rory-mcilroy-announces-deal-with-nike-golf.html?_r=0
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Rory McIlroy was born on May 4th, 1989 according to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rory_McIlroy
May 4th, 1989
5 + 4 +1+9+8+9 = 36 = his life lesson = The height of achievement. The pinnacle of his career.
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May 4th, 1989
May 4th
5 + 4 +2+0+1+2 = 14 = his personal year (from May 4th, 2012 to May 3rd, 2013) = Having appeal.
14 year + 1 (January) = 15 = his personal month (from January 4th, 2013 to February 3rd, 2013) = Endorsements. Ads. Commercials. Commercial success.
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using the number/letter grid:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
A B C D E F G H I
J K L M N O P Q R
S T U V W X Y Z
Where:
A = 1 J = 1 S = 1
B = 2 K = 2 T = 2
C = 3 L = 3 U = 3
D = 4 M = 4 V = 4
E = 5 N = 5 W = 5
F = 6 O = 6 X = 6
G = 7 P = 7 Y = 7
H = 8 Q = 8 Z = 8
I = 9 R = 9
Rory McIlroy
9697 4393967 66
his path of destiny = 66 = Bringing home the bacon.
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Sex Numerology available at:
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learn numerology from numerologist to the world, Ed Peterson:
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predictions for the year 2013 are at:
sports astrology and numerology 