Tiger Woods Rumors: ‘Sunday Red’ to Return Through TaylorMade, Ends Concerns Over Nike Tragedy

The iconic Tiger Woods Sunday red is here to stay. A goodbye to Nike after 27 years is slated to be followed by the launch of another new brand in golf. LIV Golf Updates reported that the 15-time Major winner is partnering with TaylorMade, his current equipment sponsor, for his apparel as well, but under the name ‘Sunday Red.’ The name, obviously, is a nod to the iconic Nike Red T-shirt that Woods made famous in the last three decades. Only three times in his entire career has Woods sported a different color in the final rounds, per ESPN.

Interestingly enough, the United States Patent and Trademark Office data shows that the idea of Sunday Red started brewing in 2009 when Woods was still in his third spell with Nike. But as recent reports indicate, TaylorMade has now taken a shot at launching the brand.

The long and winding road that led to ‘Sunday Red’

USPTO data shows that ‘TaylorMade Lifestyle Ventures LLC’ applied for the Sunday Red trademark on December 13, a day before the PNC championship started. Notably, Tiger Woods, when asked about his future with Nike, refused to answer anything beyond “I’m still wearing their product,” at that time. 

As per the official site, TaylorMade’s application is still under process. However, USPTO.report, a third-party independent trademark research tool, also showcased a trademark application by TaylorMade Lifestyle Ventures LLC. The new application numbered 98363643, submitted on January 18, has an updated logo (a Tiger Stripes design with ‘S’, ‘D’,’ written above, and ‘R’ below) with the same name.

As of the time the report went to publication, the same application number on USPTO’s official website revealed that the “data has not been loaded yet.” Notably, TaylorMade was slated to make a debut in the golf apparel business, as job postings on their site indicated. Tiger Woods, too, while ditching Nike, cryptically hinted at some major announcement when he tees up at Riviera. It should be noted that the equipment giant only partnered with Tiger Woods only after Nike shut down their golf equipment business in 2016. 

Interestingly enough, an entry on USPTO also shows that Nike, Inc. applied for a trademark on ‘Sunday Red’ on July 22, 2009, less than a week after Tiger Woods failed to make the cut at the Open Championship. For reasons unknown, the application was also withdrawn in 2011. 

At that time, Woods was well into his third Nike contract. The Oregon HQ apparel brand renewed the multi-million-dollar endorsement deal in 2006, which ran through 2013 when the fourth and final contract was signed. Notably, around the first half of the last decade, the 82-time PGA Tour winner lost multiple big-money sponsors such as AT&T, General Motors, Accenture, and Gillette.

Read More: Nike Responds to Tiger Woods Split With Emotional 7-Word Statement

It was widely speculated that Woods might choose Greyson Clothiers, a brand that reportedly roped in his son, Charlie Woods. Even TopGolf’s name was thrown into the mix recently. However, the 82-time PGA Tour winner seems to be following a different path.

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