Which amateur superstar is following in Tiger Woods’ and Rory McIlroy’s footsteps by signing with Nike?
In 2016 Nike stopped making golf clubs but they still remain a major player in the shoe and apparel market and now they have signed the best amateur golfer in the world.
Luke Clanton became the No 1 amateur in August 2024 after some fairly spectacular results on the PGA Tour.
After making the cut at the US Open at Pinehurst, his first Major, he was T10 at the Rocket Mortgage before sharing second at the John Deere Classic.
There was also a fifth at the Wyndham and another runners-up finish at the RSM Classic. He played in eight events, missed the cut only once and finished in the top 10 in half of them.
He would also win three times for Florida State and this year he has already recorded a top 15 at Torrey Pines.
Later this year he will tee it up at both the US Open at Oakmont and The Open at Royal Portrush and he will do it with Nike as his clothing sponsor.
Clanton revealed the news via an Instragram post and he joins the likes of fellow World No 1s, Scottie Scheffler and Nelly Korda, as well as Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood and fellow amateur Gordon Sargent.
Tiger Woods will always be synonymous with the Nike brand having been with the American giant for 27 years up until early 2024.
Clanton is currently inside the world’s top 100 at 93rd, no other amateur is in the top 200, and the 21-year-old needs just one more point to secure his PGA Tour card through the Tour’s University Accelerated program, which awards points based on players’ accomplishments in college, amateur and professional tournaments.
The American signed a NIL deal – which stands for “name, image and likeness” – and this allows student athletes to profit from their personal brand.
It measures the their forecasted marketability, based on ‘on-field performance, media exposure, and social media presence’.
“People think amateurs now make millions of dollars, but that’s not true. We’re making money, but it’s the type of money that makes it comfortable for me to buy flights to tour events when I get invited without stress,” explained Clanton.
But if he continues to progress at his current rate, those millions will surely follow fast.
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