Tiger Woods signs new multi-year equipment deal

Tiger Woods decided what golf balls he will use on Tour for the next couple years.

Bridgestone reports Woods has signed a multi-year contract, his first equipment deal since his return. The move also signals the first Nike Golf player to sign a deal outside of Nike.

After extensive golf ball testing, I chose the best one for me. I am proud to join @BridgestoneGolf and play the #B330-S! – TW pic.twitter.com/JoIeoY2SX1

— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) December 15, 2016

The deal is not as astronomical as it sounds; Woods played the Hero World Challenge with Bridgestone balls. The deal has also been in the works for quite some time. Tiger’s agent, Mark Steinberg, requested balls from several companies after Nike Golf announced they would be focusing on apparel.

The balls must be a hit in Tiger’s camp because Woods hit 24 birdies in the Bahamas, more than any player in the field. The deal was inked shortly following the tournament.

Woods joins a team of elite golfers who use Bridgestone, including Brandt Snedeker, Matt Kuchar, Bryson DeChambeau and Fred Couples.

Welcome to Team @BridgestoneGolf @TigerWoods. Agreed – the ball is the most important item in the bag! #bestballever https://t.co/OoCTsWUzCU pic.twitter.com/3lwWDGwW5F

— Brandt Snedeker (@BrandtSnedeker) December 15, 2016

So who benefits more from the deal? Judging from the company website, Bridgestone looks to make a splash with the rockstar pickup. The company has the number 3 market spot for balls and with this new venture looks to pick up some slack behind Callaway and Titleist. They’ve already added him to the company website and said on record that:

“The agreement will allow Tiger to play an instrumental role in the development of future balls.”

Tiger already designs courses, now he’s in the circle designing golf balls, so what will he be designing next? He currently has no club deal, and Bridgestone is pretty tight-lipped about whether he will join the clubs side of their business.