Report: TaylorMade Files Patent Applications, Fueling Speculation Of A Deal With Tiger Woods

After Tiger’s split from Nike, speculation emerged that Woods would sign with golf outfitter TaylorMade.

Following Tiger Woods’ highly publicized split from Nike earlier in January, Golf reports that a new patent filing from TaylorMade appears to hint that an apparel deal between the brand and Woods is imminent.

Several trademark applications for a Sunday Red brand were submitted to the United States Patent and Trademark Office by TaylorMade Lifestyle Ventures LLC.

Woods already uses TaylorMade’s clubs, so this would represent a natural outgrowth of his association with the brand. After the golf legend’s split from Nike, speculation emerged that Woods would sign with TaylorMade, more so when the golf outfitter retweeted an episode of Woods’ appearance on the Fore Play podcast, which is affiliated with TaylorMade, with a caption reading “Stay tuned.”

TaylorMade filed four applications featuring Tiger-related trademarks, according to Golf. One shows a leaping Woods, another shows a leaping Woods with the letters SDR, two more spell out Sunday Red.

The applications are listed as live in the database, which indicates that they are awaiting examination and ultimately, approval. Woods has been associated with red basically since he began his professional career in the mid-1990s. Woods has previously said that his love of red came from his mother, Kutilda, who informed him that the color was a symbol of strength. Over the course of his career, Woods, who has won 15 major championships, has only failed to wear red during a final round of golf three times.

Golf Digest reports that an additional apparel company could be involved with the TaylorMade deal. Speculation among most golf outlets, including Golf Digest, is when the oft-injured Woods finally plays at Los Angeles’ Genesis Invitational on February 12 he will have a new look (with his old favorite color) while he stalks the green.