With Mercedes’ Technical Director James Allison back in the role, Lewis Hamilton’s wish is set to be fulfilled, as he is ready to receive the 2024 W15 F1 car tailored to his specifications.
Hamilton’s request for a modified cockpit position appears to have been granted, and the British driver is eager to get behind the wheel of the new car. He has expressed his enthusiasm about moving on from the W14 at the end of the previous season.
The seven-time world champion had requested that the cockpit position be moved further back in the upcoming W15. According to Motorsport.com Italia, this request has been met. This development follows James Allison’s mid-season return to the role of technical director last year, while Mike Elliott took on the role of Chief Technical Officer before later leaving the team.
The PNC Championship was a family event for Tiger Woods and his kids this year.
The golf legend took part in the tournament in Orlando, Florida, over the weekend and was accompanied by both of his children. The event on Saturday saw Woods competing with his son Charlie, 14, while his daughter Sam, 16, served as his caddie for the first time.
Tiger Woods of the United States looks on with son, Charlie Woods, daughter, Sam Woods, and caddie, Luke Wise, on the third green during the final round of the PNC Championship at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club on Dece…
Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images
The PGA Tour posted a video on Instagram showing a sweet moment between the father-daughter duo on the course, captioning the post: “For the first time, Sam Woods is caddying for her father today ❤️.”
The weekend also marks the fourth year Tiger and Charlie Woods are competing against golfer Justin Thomas and his father Mike.
“I drove the ball really good today,” Charlie Woods said during a post-competition interview. “Didn’t miss a fairway and still managed to shoot eight under. We just suck at putting.”
Supporting his son’s statement with a smile, Tiger Woods added, “That sums it up right there.”
The athlete also gushed over the participation of his daughter in the championship as his caddie, saying, “Sam was fantastic.”
“This is the first time she’s ever done this, so it couldn’t have been any more special for all of us,” he said, according to Golfweek.
Tiger Woods of The United States poses for a picture on the first tee with his son Charlie Woods and his daughter Sam Woods who was caddying for Tiger during the final round of the PNC Championship at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club on December 17, 2023 in Orlando, Florida.
Tiger Woods has paid tribute to Nike after confirming that he is splitting with the sportswear giant after 27 years as a sponsor.
The 48-year-old joined forces with the brand when he was an up and coming amateur golfer at 21. What followed between the 1990s and 2000s was a period of domination never seen in golf before.
Tiger Woods son shares mind-blowing similarities of his father
Having won the Masters five times in his career, Woods also won the PGA Championship four times and US Open on three occasions, in addition to clinching the Open thrice in his career between 2001 and 2006.
He became synonymous with the famous Nike ‘swoosh’ that was displayed on his red polo shirt and his lucrative deal reportedly reached a value of around $500million.
An emotional goodbye
Woods paid tribute to former Nike CEO Phil Knight in particular, calling it a ‘pleasure’ working with him, as well as the brand itself for “amazing moments and memories”.
“Over 27 years ago, I was fortunate enough to start a partnership with one of the most iconic brands in the world,” his statement read.
“The days since have been filled with so many amazing moments and memories. Phil Knight‘s passion and vision brought this Nike and Nike Golf partnership together and I personally want to thank him, along with the other Nike employees and incredible athletes I have had the pleasure of working with along the way.
“People will ask if there is another chapter. Yes, there will certainly be another chapter.”
Nike made its own social media post confirming the news, posting a tribute to the legendary golfer: “It was a hell of a round, Tiger.”
The writing was on the wall
Woods‘ full-time golfing career was effectively brought to an end when he was hospitalized in a serious but stable condition after a single-car collision.
After suffering multiple injuries, he required emergency surgery to repair compound fractures sustained in his right leg in addition to a shattered ankle.
It had been expected for some time that he would be bringing an end to his partnership with Nike, although the Californian has kept his cards close to his chest.
Most notably, he was seen wearing FootJoys at the 2022 Masters and his comments, revealing he needed “something different”, ignited speculation that a split was on the cards.
Tiger Woods announced on Monday, January 8, the end of his sponsorship contract with Nike. The end of the iconic relationship has raised numerous questions among fans about Woods’ likely future, but also about that of his son Charlie.
At 14 years of age, Charlie Woods is already taking his first steps in golf with good results. This, coupled with his obvious relationship with his father Tiger Woods, makes Charlie an option for potential sponsors to consider.
Tiger and Charlie Woods, 2023 PNC Championship (Image via Getty).
There is no rumor associated with the possible signing of Charlie Woods with Nike, neither before Tiger Woods left the brand, nor now. A few weeks ago, reports emerged that Charlie had signed a sponsorship contract with Greyson Clothiers, but this has not been officially confirmed.
Greyson Clothiers is a golf clothing and apparel brand that, among other athletes, sponsors Justin Thomas. Charlie Woods played one of the rounds of the 2023 PNC Championship wearing a sweater with the company’s branding visible.
That same day, former National Football League (NFL) star Larry Fitzgerald, who is also sponsored by Greyson Clothiers, posted on Instagram a “welcome back” to Tiger Woods’ son. The brand’s official account reposted Fitzgerald’s post but later deleted it.
These instances, coupled with the rumor (now confirmed) that Tiger Woods would leave Nike, led some to think that Charlie could be sponsored by Greyson Clothiers. But the truth is that there is no confirmation of this or any other sponsor working with Charlie Woods.
Tiger Woods, Charlie Woods and sponsorship contracts
In the United States, it is completely legal for a company to have a sports sponsorship contract for a minor. The legal formality is completed with their parents or guardians, but the object of the contract is still the child as a sports figure.
This type of sponsorship contract has few limitations and these are not present in all states. Generally, there are prohibitions for certain types of food and beverages to sponsor children.
For that reason, there is no real limitation on Charlie Woods having a sports sponsorship. Whether with Greyson Clothiers or with any of the companies that have sponsored or currently sponsor his father, the relationship can be freely negotiated.
This is influenced by a variety of factors, such as the sport the child plays, whether the child actively and regularly participates in tournaments, the quality of the sport, and the sponsorship the company can offer. The latter can be clothing and footwear, equipment, or all-inclusive.
There is also no limit to the number of sponsors a player, Charlie Woods in this case, can have. The only limiting factor is the player’s actual ability to meet his obligations to the sponsoring brand.
Throughout his career, Tiger Woods has been sponsored by, among others, Monster Energy, MusclePharm, Fuse Science, Rolex, Bridgestone, 2K Sports, Hero Motocorp, Upper Deck, TaylorMade and Titleist. All of them in parallel with his iconic contract with Nike.
In November, Tiger Woods made a much-awaited return to the course. He also cheerfully informed fans that he would be looking forward to competing in more events but would limit himself to one event per month. The ongoing 2024 Sentry doesn’t have Woods in the field, but his presence is still being felt!
The other players present in the field are reminiscing about the 15-time major champion. As the year’s first tournament goes on in full swing, the participants are mindful of Woods through the personal experiences they have had with him.
via Imago
In November, Tiger Woods made a much-awaited return to the course. He also cheerfully informed fans that he would be looking forward to competing in more events but would limit himself to one event per month. The ongoing 2024 Sentry doesn’t have Woods in the field, but his presence is still being felt!
The other players present in the field are reminiscing about the 15-time major champion. As the year’s first tournament goes on in full swing, the participants are mindful of Woods through the personal experiences they have had with him.
Jordan Spieth talked about eyeing Tiger Woods’s event after the painful 2023 Ryder Cup.
Jordan Spieth has also been vocal about how he gained his form back after playing at the Woods-hosted Hero World Challenge. He told the media, “Post-Ryder Cup, I tried to eye Tiger’s event as a chance to really get things where I felt really good about starting a season.” The Hero Challenge was a big event indeed that gave many golfers an experience of the upcoming season.
via Imago
Spieth continued, “Tiger’s event was big for me, just to get out there and get into contention.” After that, he came to the Sentry and picked up where he left off. Intrestingly, the motivator himself has won the Sentry twice.
Ever since Tiger Woods made his triumphant return from his sabbatical, he has consistently found himself in the media spotlight, with each instance capturing public attention for various reasons. The most recent being about his probable fallout with Nike. But amidst the Nike-Woods chaos, Charlie Woods’s alleged Greyson deal has stolen the limelight. The spotlight on Woods Jr., stealing the show at a mere 14 years old, paints a bigger picture.
USA Today via Reuters
Following in his father’s footsteps, Charlie, at just 14 years old, has probably signed a deal with Greyson Clothiers. He was welcomed into the Greyson Clothiers family by famous NFL player Larry Fitzgerald, who posted the news of Woods Jr. joining the pack on his Instagram account.
Adding fuel to this already heated situation is the intriguing detail from last week’s PNC Championship: while the five-time Masters winner adorned himself in Nike attire, Charlie sported garments from Greyson Clothiers. The timing of this apparel contrast is noteworthy, given that Tiger’s longstanding deal with Nike was set to conclude over the weekend following the father-son joint participation in the PNC Championship.
However, the most significant twist unfolded within hours after midnight, as Tiger’s Nike contract officially expired, marking a pivotal moment for Charlie, who promptly inked his first major sponsorship deal with Greyson. Notably, with his deal with the clothing brand, Charlie has outshined his father by almost 7 years! The 82x PGAT winner signed with Nike when he was 21, unlike Charlie, who bagged his first endorsement at just 14 years old.
via Reuters
Along with a passion for golf, Charlie Woods has also inherited a unique sense of style from his father. The 15-time major champion is one of those rare golfers who is not only excellent on the field but also has a huge following for his style.
Woods Sr. has surely had a good run with Nike. In his three-decade-long partnership with Nike, he has served some serious fashion goals with the brand’s apparel, especially Sunday’s red.
A look at Woods’ first brand endorsement
When Tiger Woods made his professional debut in 1996, he was already a towering figure in the golfing realm. Seizing the opportunity, Nike, which was a well-established name at the time, promptly secured Woods as its ambassador. Consequently, at the youthful age of 21, Woods signed his first endorsement with a giant brand. He received $40 million for a five-year deal. Then, he bagged $100 million to renew this deal after 5 years.
This symbiotic partnership flourished, proving mutually advantageous as both Woods and Nike reaped substantial rewards from their collaborative journey. Overall, throughout the past 27 years, the golfer has made upward of $500 million from his signings and renewals with Nike.
Everything to Know About Tiger Woods and Erica Herman’s Messy Split: $30 Million Lawsuit, NDA Controversy and More
From love to legal action. Tiger Woods’ split from girlfriend Erica Herman was revealed when the former restaurant owner sued the pro golfer.
Herman filed a lawsuit in October 2022 alleging that Woods — whom she began dating in 2017 — used “trickery” to kick her out of his home after their split in fall 2022. In court documents obtained by Us Weekly in March 2023, Herman claimed that Woods’ alleged actions violated their “oral tenancy agreement” which gave her “the right to live” in the athlete’s Hobe Sound, Florida, home for “a certain duration of time.”
Elsewhere in the suit, Herman alleged that Woods’ employees encouraged her to take “a short vacation” only to inform her at the airport that she’d been “locked out” of the PGA star’s residence and could not return.
The Florida native is suing the Woods’ trust — the titleholder on his home — for $30 million, claiming that the sum represents the “reasonable rental value” of her ex’s residence for the remaining five years of their alleged oral tenancy agreement.
Herman also filed separate documents in March 2023 attempting to nullify a non-disclosure agreement that Woods had her sign when the pair began their relationship.
“Because of the aggressive use of the Woods NDA against her by the Defendant and the trust under his control, the Plaintiff is unsure whether she may disclose, among other things, facts giving rise to various legal claims she believes she has,” read court documents obtained by Us.
The filing added that Herman felt “unsure what other information about her own life she may discuss or with whom.”
The University of Central Florida alum cited the Speak Out Act — which “prohibits the judicial enforceability of a nondisclosure clause or nondisparagement clause agreed to before a dispute arises involving sexual assault or sexual harassment in violation of federal, tribal, or state law,” per Congress — as grounds for nullifying the NDA. Herman and Woods have not publicly addressed their split or the lawsuit. Us has reached out to their reps for comment.
“Erica dropped everything to be with Tiger the moment she heard what happened,” a source exclusively told Us at the time of the incident. “She’s been by his bedside, holding his hand and telling him everything’s going to be OK. He’s a champ and he’s got this. She’s been so compassionate and supportive — all his friends and family have. He couldn’t have asked for more in that regard.”
Woods previously sparked controversy in 2009 when he was caught cheating on then-wife Elin Nordegrenwith several women. The exes — who share daughter Sam, born in 2007, and son Charlie, born in 2009 — finalized their divorce in 2010. The California native sought treatment for sex addiction amid the scandal.
Keep scrolling for everything to know about Woods and Herman’s messy split:
Tiger Woods’ Trust Responds to the Lawsuit
Woods’ trust filed documents to dismiss Herman’s complaint in November 2022.
In the response, the entity claimed that per Herman’s NDA with Woods, she was required to resolve “any and all disputes, claims or controversies” with the golfer through confidential arbitration.
“By suing the Trust rather than Mr. Woods, Ms. Herman seeks to evade her obligation to adjudicate her claims in a confidential arbitration and, instead, seeks to gain leverage by litigating her disputes with Mr. Woods in a public forum,” the documents read.
The Trust also denied the existence of an oral tenancy agreement.
“In reality, Ms. Herman was invited to live in the Residence while she was in a relationship with her former boyfriend,” the response claims. “After Mr. Woods recently terminated the relationship, Ms. Herman was advised that she was no longer welcome in the Residence.
Erica Herman Cites Sexual Harassment in Court Documents
Herman filed court documents in March 2023 attempting to nullify an NDA that Woods had her sign in 2017.
The businesswoman claimed that the agreement was “invalid and unenforceable,” citing the Speak Out Act — which “prohibits the judicial enforceability of a nondisclosure clause or nondisparagement clause agreed to before a dispute arises involving sexual assault or sexual harassment in violation of federal, tribal, or state law,” per Congress.
Tiger Woods Slams ‘Meritless’ Speak Out Act Reference
Woods called out Herman’s “meritless” reference to the Speak Out Act, which protects victims of sexual abuse, in March 2023 court docs obtained by Us. In the filing, he referred to his ex as “a jilted ex-girlfriend who wants to publicly litigate specious claims in court, rather than honor her commitment to arbitrate disputes in a confidential arbitration proceeding.”
He further argued that citing the congressional act was “a transparent abuse of the judicial process that undermines the purpose of the federal statute and those whom the statute seeks to protect.”
Relationship ‘Breakdown’ Before Split
As the pair’s legal drama continued to make headlines, a source exclusively told Us that Woods and Herman had “a breakdown in their relationship” before calling it quits. “Erica thought Tiger was never at home, and Tiger thought Erica was spending too much and living too lavish of a lifestyle,” the insider explained, noting that the now-exes “started out very strong” when they began dating.
When it comes to her lawsuit, the insider told Us that Herman “feels entitled to a payout for how much she helped” Woods throughout their romance. However, she’s “hoping [Tiger] settles” before the case heads to court
Erica Herman Sues Tiger Woods for $30 Million
In October 2022, Herman sued Woods’ trust for $30 million, claiming that the World Golf champion violated an oral tenancy agreement that she could live at his residence for a “certain duration of time” in exchange for performing “valuable services.”
In the documents, Herman alleged that she was “locked out” of the home “by trickery” when there were five years left of her oral agreement with Woods. She claimed that $30 million represented “the reasonable rental value” of the property for the remaining five years of the alleged agreement.
Erica Herman Accuses Tiger Woods of Sexual Harassment
In May 2023, Herman filed new court documents alleging that Woods sexually harassed her shortly after she began working at his Florida restaurant in 2014. Her attorneys alleged that Woods “forced her to sign an NDA” in 2017 or else she would “be fired from her job.” The duo were already in a romantic relationship at that point, but the lawyers pointed out in the filing that “a boss imposing different work conditions on his employee because of their sexual relationship is sexual harassment.”
Herman went on to claim that Woods sexually harassed her again in 2022 when he allegedly kicked her out of their home. “The landlord made the availability of her housing conditional on her having sexual relationship with a co-tenant,” Herman’s attorneys wrote in the court filing. “That conduct amounts to sexual harassment under federal and Florida fair housing laws.”
Erica Herman Claims Tiger Woods’ Attorney Broke Up With Her
Herman alleged in a May 2023 filing that she was dumped on an airport tarmac and booted from her and Woods’ shared home following a “dispute” in October 2022.
“The scheme involved convincing Ms. Herman to pack for a weekend excursion to the Bahamas. She and Mr. Woods often travelled on short notice for quick getaways, and she was told this would be another such trip,” read documents obtained by Us. “So, she took a minimum of items, expecting to return home in a few days. He then drove her to the airport, where a private plane was waiting.”
Instead of getting on the plane together, Woods reportedly told Herman to speak with his lawyer and “left” the premises.
“Mr. Woods’s California lawyer, out of the blue, told her that she was not going anywhere, would never see Mr. Woods again, had been locked out of the house, and could not return,” she claimed. “She would not even be able to see the children or her pets again.”
Herman was allegedly informed by Woods’ attorney that she had “no legal rights” before he tried to “force her to agree to a non-disclosure and arbitration agreement,” which she refused to sign.
Erica Herman Must Uphold NDA
A Florida judge ruled in May 2023 that Herman’s attempt to throw out the former couple’s NDA was “vague and threadbare,” arguing that there was evidence that pointed to an agreement being signed. “Herman has had the opportunity [to] provide factual specificity for any claim relating to sexual assault or sexual harassment, however, she has not done so,” read docs obtained by Us.
The ruling also stated that Herman and Woods must resolve their legal dispute through private mediation.
If you ask a golf fan, many will claim Tiger Woods to be the best golfer to ever exist. The recently turned 48-year-old is currently recovering from a right foot injury. This injury has caused him to miss out on multiple PGA Tour events. He made only five starts in official PGA Tour events in the past two seasons.
But his legacy is something that cannot be ignored. He has been consistently winning the Player of the Year Award for years. But fans might be wondering how many times has he won the prestigious award.
How many Player of the Year Awards has Tiger Woods won?
The Player of the Year award for golfers on the PGA Tour is handed out twice by two different organizations: the PGA Tour itself, plus the PGA of America. While the PGA of America’s Player of the Year award started before, the PGAT’s version has now become more popular.
via Reuters
But it rarely matters as most of the time both awards have been given to the same golfer. But like everyone expected, Woods holds the record for most Player of the Year awards won by a PGA Tour golfer. The 48-year-old has won the award for a record eleven times!
Woods got his first Player of the Year Award in 1997, and then he was the consistent pick. The American golfer won the award in 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2013.+
He is the only player who has won the award more than 10 times. The second-most Player of the Year award is won by Tom Watson for a total of 6 times. Jack Nicklaus follows third with 5 and Ben Hogan in fourth place with 4 wins.
List of players who won Player of the Year Awards
While Tiger Woods is the undeniable leader on this list, he has not won since 2013. Here are the PGA Tour golfers who have won Player of the Year awards:
Year
PGA (Points)
PGA Tour (Vote)
2023
Scottie Scheffler
2022
Cameron Smith
Scottie Scheffler
2021
Jon Rahm
Patrick Cantlay
2020
Justin Thomas
Dustin Johnson
2019
Brooks Koepka
Rory McIlroy
2018
Brooks Koepka
Brooks Koepka
2017
Justin Thomas
Justin Thomas
2016
Dustin Johnson
Dustin Johnson
2015
Jordan Spieth
Jordan Spieth
2014
Rory McIlroy
Rory McIlroy
2013
Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods
2012
Rory McIlroy
Rory McIlroy
2011
Luke Donald
Luke Donald
2010
Jim Furyk
Jim Furyk
2009
Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods
2008
Padraig Harrington
Padraig Harrington
2007
Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods
2006
Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods
2005
Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods
2004
Vijay Singh
Vijay Singh
2003
Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods
2002
Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods
2001
Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods
2000
Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods
1999
Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods
1998
Mark O’Meara
Mark O’Meara
1997
Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods
1996
Tom Lehman
Tom Lehman
1995
Greg Norman
Greg Norman
1994
Nick Price
Nick Price
1993
Nick Price
Nick Price
1992
Fred Couples
Fred Couples
1991
Corey Pavin
Fred Couples
1990
Nick Faldo
Wayne Levi
Who do you think will eventually surpass the record made by the 48-year-old? Let us know in the comments section below.
Rumors about the ongoing nature of the negotiations between Tiger Woods and his long-lasting sponsor, Nike, are the topic of contention in the realm of golf currently. While an official verdict on the matter remains due, the latest move by Woods’s son, Charlie Woods, is hinting at a possible split.
It has come to the golf world’s attention that Junior Woods has ended up ditching Nike and signing with another golf apparel brand instead. This massive announcement has left curious fans wondering what’s next. Who has Charlie Woods signed a deal with?
Charlie Woods’s recent update stirs Tiger Woods-Nike breakup rumors
Tiger Woods and Nike’s 27-year-long partnership is going through a rough patch at the moment. It’s being speculated that it is either make or break for this deal between billionaires. Charlie Woods’s recent wild decision to sign with an apparel brand, Greyson Clothiers, that is not his father’s long-time sponsor has added fuel to the fire of rumors of their split.
Greyson Clothiers is a famous golf clothing and apparel brand for men, women, and youth alike. They focus on making their products fashionable and functional at the same time. The 14-year-old has been welcomed by Larry Fitzgerald, the MVP of Greyson’s pack, himself.
A recent tweet by TWLegion on X reported the news of the declaration of this new partnership between Greyson Clothiers and Charlie on their official Instagram account. The NFL sensation, Larry Fitzgerald welcomed the young golfer to the team on his Instagram, and wrote, “Welcome to the @greysonclotheirs family, Charlie.” The company reposted this heartfelt welcome message on their official Instagram account, and hence confirmed the 14-year-old’s deal with them, amidst speculation regarding his dad’s split with the billion-dollar giant, Nike.
This has increased speculation of a possible goodbye by his famous father to Nike, as Charlie has not followed in his footsteps and has joined another brand. Even though Woods recently gave a cryptic message when asked for updates on the Nike matter, stating that he is still wearing the brand’s clothes, his son’s decision states otherwise.
Tiger Woods proposes to his ex-wife again – reveals the source
Tiger Woods is not ready to come to a conclusion about his relationship with ex-wife Elin Nordegren, according to sources. According to the National Enquirer, Woods is making a real attempt to reconcile with Nordegren, proposing to her over Christmas vacation and offering her significant financial incentives. The magazine reported that Woods got down on one knee, gave Nordegren a ring and told her he wanted to marry her again. To show his commitment, Woods offered Nordegren a $350 million deal that included anti-cheating provisions meant to give him peace of mind. Despite the large sum, Nordegren is considering the offer, suggesting the golfer’s efforts to win it back have not gone unnoticed. The proposed settlement represents more than half of Woods’ estimated $600 million fortune and shows how willing he is to rebuild relationships. A source familiar with the situation said, “Tiger didn’t even dodge the questions. The accountant thinks he’s crazy, but he’s ready to draw up a marriage contract and set the wedding date. The man never recovered from Elin’s abandonment. “He dated many models and prostitutes, but none lasted more than one night,” he said.
Woods and Nordegren’s tumultuous past includes a high-profile divorce after Woods’ affair was revealed. The couple met in 2001 and married in 2004, and despite the difficulties, they had two children. Woods’ alleged proposal represents a significant move in their attempt to rebuild their relationship. The couple has been separated since 2010, and Nordegren is focusing on renovating their home in Palm Beach, Florida. While the world waits, only time will tell if this romantic twist will lead to a rekindled romance or just another chapter in the complicated history of Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren.
