Rory McIlroy. Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Will Rory McIlroy be the next pro golfer to leave Nike?

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated 1/17/24

There may be a big spotlight on red carpets since it's award season, but the fashion spotlight has also been on the sports world lately thanks in part to Tiger Woods' departure from Nike.

And that attention isn't going away anytime soon as another one of golf's biggest stars appears to be departing as well.

Enter Rory McIlroy. World No. 2 and longtime friend of the 15-time major winner — and possibly the next pro golfer to part ways with the swoosh?

The Irishman has been sponsored by Nike since 2013, even appearing alongside Woods in what is still considered a fantastic commercial spot.

McIlroy highlights a list of golf pros still with Nike following Woods' exit and is reportedly under contract with them through 2027. But that union has come into question after he was photographed being chummy with Greyson Clothiers founder Charlie Schaefer in Dubai, where McIlroy is competing in the DP World Tour.

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While the sighting doesn't guarantee anything, it's still interesting that McIlroy is yucking it up with Schaefer. In addition to outfitting fellow PGA pro Justin Thomas, Greyson has also been a rumored landing spot for Woods since his son, Charlie, wears the brand.

As The Mirror points out, recent rumors like the chances of Woods going to TaylorMade since he already uses their clubs. But we won't know for sure until Woods makes his PGA Tour season debut at the Genesis Invitational, which tees off on Feb. 15.

As for McIlroy, you can catch him at the Dubai Desert Classic before he makes his own PGA Tour season debut at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am on Feb. 1. We'll have to keep an eye out for which brand he's sporting come tee time.

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