Rain-soaked Royal Troon Golf Club is abuzz on Day 3 of the Open Championship, where gloomy skies and smooth greens are testing the mettle of the world’s top golfers. But something else is causing a stir – Nike is facing criticism, and it seems their rain collection has missed the mark. The same fans who once mocked Tiger Woods‘ signature Sun Day Red are now turning their fury on Nike’s misstep. But what’s got fans so riled up? 

Society of Golf Historians on their X handle shared a picture of Scottie Scheffler walking on the greens with his Nike rainwear on. The post captioned, “Nike’s rain gear is abysmally ugly. It either resembled a trash bag or this… Can we fit our major champions a bit better?“ And fans were not happy with what they saw. His light blue rain gear looked like a ” bag“ because of its oversized design and color. Anyhow, the clothing brand, in particular, has been mercilessly trolled by fans, who called out the company’s design and functionality flaws. 

For such a high-profile event like the Open Championship, fans expect to see top-notch gear that not only performs well but also looks good. Nike’s rain gear, however, seems to be failing on both counts. Scheffler, however, is no stranger to being mocked by fans – his shaving his beard or a bizarre haircut has gotten him teased. But this time it’s not the World No. 1 style choices that are getting roasted. 

Speaking of controversial golf clothing designs, Tiger Woods’ signature style has faced scrutiny in recent times. Despite his popularity, the prices of his Sun Day Red products have been met with criticism, with fans finding them highly-priced. The brand’s logo and design, featuring a simple tiger pattern, have been deemed not worth the hefty price tag. As a result, the Sun Day Red clothing line has fallen short of the community’s expectations.

However, moving back to Nike’s woes, the criticism doesn’t seem to be slowing down. Golf enthusiasts are pouring in with their views on how one of the biggest brands is failing to make its mark in the hearts of the golfing community. The discontent is palpable, and fans are making their voices heard loud and clear. Now, let’s look at how the fans reacted to the whole scenario.

Internet reacts to Scottie Scheffler’s Nike rainwear, with a next-level trolling

Scottie Scheffler, wearing light blue Nike rain gear, sent fans into a frenzy. One fan humorously commented, “Looks like he raided his wife’s maternity collection“, highlighting the unusual color choice and fit of the gear. This comment is likely referencing the fact that light blue is a common shade for maternity wear, and the loose fit of the rain gear is reminiscent of the comfortable clothing expectant mothers often wear.

Another user funnily commented, “I thought he was on his way to clean the toilets !!! Looks like the janny” The humor in this comment comes from the unexpected comparison between a professional golfer’s attire and a janitor’s uniform. The design continued to inspire humorous observations, with one user exclaiming, “It’s basically a karate jacket!” Highlighted by the gear’s loose and bold style, which bears a resemblance to the iconic martial arts uniforms. 

The Nike rain gear’s design and fit sparked humorous comparisons to pop culture and retro aesthetics. One user joked that it resembled “Nike’s Dr. Evil Collection Rain Gear”, referencing the infamous Austin Powers film series villain. Another user quipped that the outfit looked like it belonged in a “bad 70’s science fiction movie“, both comments poking fun at the gear’s unconventional appearance and likening it to over-the-top, theatrical styles.

One user bluntly stated that Nike’s business struggles are a direct result of their subpar clothing designs, saying “And now you know why their business is in trouble…”, Indeed, Nike’s business has been struggling since 2021, with the company’s stock price reflecting a troubling trend. In the past three years, its stock has produced a return of -53.94%, a stark contrast to the company’s usual performance. To put this into perspective, in the first week of November 2021, the company’s share price reached a high of $169 but has since plummeted to a current market price of $72, representing a staggering percentage change of (-57.4%).

Another user prioritized the practicality and effectiveness of rain gear over its appearance. “When it come to rain gear I’ll take function over form. Just ask the 2010 US Ryder Cup team…” He gave the example of the 2010 Ryder Cup where the rain suits, which were provided by the official outfitter, failed to keep the players dry in the heavy rain. The fabric absorbed water rather than repelling it, leading to significant discomfort. Due to the ineffectiveness of their initial rain gear, the team had to buy replacement rain suits from the merchandise tent at the Celtic Manor Resort. 

What do you think of the design? Let us know in the comments below.