The Chief Executive Officer of Nike Phil Knight gave an interview this week on his decision to shut down the brand’s golf equipment business.

“It was an easy financial decision to make but hard emotionally. It was hard on Tiger. But the financial reality just lead us to it”.

The golf brand will continue but only for shoes and apparel, a decision which has also been taken by Adidas. Wilson Sporting Goods are said to be interested in buying up the golf equipment business. It has come as a surprise as in January they had signed 14 new players.

Rory McIlroy, who signed a deal with Nike in 2013 worth £15 million a year has expressed his sadness for the employees “that made genuinely great golf equipment”. Tiger Woods, who has used their clubs since 2000 was once goaded by Phil Mickelson that he used “inferior equipment”.

Prominent Nike and Taylor Made players who will be looking sooner or later to sign with a new manufacturer are World No 1 Jason Day, Michelle Wie, Suzann Pettersen, Ross Fisher, Paul Casey as well as McIlroy and Woods.