Nike Athletes will Keep Cool with Bold, Breathable Apparel at PGA Championship

Nike’s iconic Dri-FIT technology and superior stretch design combine to beat the heat and eliminate distractions

(BEAVERTON, Ore.) – With August’s typical humidity ranging from 51 to 94 percent in Rochester, NY, home of the 2013 PGA Championship, Nike Golf is outfitting its athletes in innovative Nike Dri-FIT fabrications to beat the heat.

Nike designers pioneered the use of technical fabrics in golf apparel and continue to focus on moisture management, cooling and stretch and lightweight performance.  In the final Major Championship of the season, Nike athletes will show off designs from the Fall 2013 Collection including Dri-FIT UV for sun protection and Dri-FIT Stretch for increased range of motion. The apparel was developed to keep athletes cool even when wearing a range of bright, statement-making colors grounded in black.

“Since becoming a Nike athlete this year, I’ve been absolutely blown away by every detail that goes into apparel design and development,” said Nick Watney. “Whether it’s Dri-FIT, no-sew technology or a perforated collar that reduces weight, it is this kind of detail that helps me to perform better.”

At the PGA Championship, some Nike athletes will wear stripes or graphic color-blocking designs on Saturday, including the Bold Stripe Polo ($65), the Mobility Stripe Polo ($75), and the Lightweight Colorblock Polo ($65), all available in a full array of seasonal colors.
* The Mobility Stripe Polo has the most stretch in the Nike Golf line and is extremely lightweight.
* The Bold Heather Stripe Polo, also lightweight, is incredibly breathable and features engineered jacquard ventilation through the stripe pattern.
* The Lightweight Colorblock Polo utilizes a lightweight stretch woven front panel that inherently resists moisture and a full mesh back panel for maximum ventilation.

Thirteen Nike Athletes will compete at the 2013 PGA Championship: Scott Brown, Paul Casey, Kevin Chappell, Russell Henley, Scott Jamieson, Rory McIlroy, Francesco Molinari, Thorbjorn Olesen, Carl Pettersson, Charl Schwartzel, Kyle Stanley, Nick Watney and Tiger Woods.  

Tiger Woods
Woods will highlight proven innovations from Nike Golf’s Fall 2013 Tiger Woods Collection. Every style is lightweight, breathable and has perforated ventilation to keep Woods cool in the hot conditions at Oak Hill. Throughout the tournament, Woods will wear the TW Designer Print Polo in Light Armory Blue ($95), the TW Emboss Polo in Gamma Green ($85), the TW Print Polo in White/Black ($95) and the TW Engineered Polo in Hyper Red ($95). These lightweight polos utilize a laser-perforated collar for increased ventilation to keep Woods cool while also reducing overall weight. These styles feature both the iconic posture performance kimono chassis and the mobility chassis to allow Woods an increased range of motion throughout his swing. Woods will finish his look with Nike TW’14 footwear.

Rory McIlroy
The defending champion will sport looks from the Nike Fall 2013 Tour Performance collection, featuring the most innovative technical fabrics that focus on lightweight and breathable performance. McIlroy will start off his first competitive round in the Fashion Bold Stripe Polo in White ($70) with pops of Game Royal that coordinate with his Modern Tech Pants in Game Royal ($80). On Friday, McIlroy will wear the Fashion Gradient Polo in Gamma Orange ($70). On Saturday, he will wear the Mobility Stripe Polo in Black/Gamma Green ($75), which is packed with stretch and is incredibly lightweight. For his final round, McIlroy will wear the Light Weight Tech Polo in Gamma Blue ($65). He will complete his look with Nike Lunar Control footwear.

Charl Schwartzel
Schwartzel will compete in refined looks from the Fall 2013 Tour Premium Collection as well as a classic look from the Tour Performance Collection on Saturday. For his opening round, Schwartzel will wear the Nike Premium Precision Polo in black ($85) and on Friday, he will wear the Nike Premium Precision Polo in Cherrywood Red ($85). On Saturday, he will go with the Team Nike look of color grounded in black with the Bold Stripe Polo in Distance Blue ($65) from the Tour Performance Collection. And on Sunday, Schwartzel will switch to dark colors in honor of the Black Knight, wearing the Nike Premium Tartan Pocket Polo in Light Gridiron Heather ($100). He will finalize his look with Nike Lunar Control footwear.

Nick Watney
Searching for his first Major Championship victory, Watney will be relying on the Tour Performance Collection to stay cool and comfortable in the New York heat. He will kick off tournament week with a bold look pairing the Light Weight Tech Polo in Sonic Yellow ($65) with the Nike Flat Front Tech Pant in Light Armory Blue ($80). On Friday, Watney will wear the Embossed Pattern Polo in Gamma Orange ($75), the Mobility Stripe Polo in Black/Orange ($75) on Saturday, and the Light Weight Heather Polo in Black on Sunday ($60). Watney will complete his looks with the Nike Flat Bill Tour Cap and Nike Lunar Control footwear.

Thorbjorn Olesen
Olesen will be hunting for his first Major Championship victory wearing styles from the Fall 2013 Tour Performance and Sport Collection. The Dane will sport vibrant trousers for his first round, wearing the Lightweight Tech Polo in white ($65) paired with the Flat Front Tech Pant in Game Royal ($80) on Thursday, and the Sport Stripe Pocket Polo in Brave Blue ($75) with the Nike Flat Front Tech Pant in White ($80) on Friday. Come Saturday, he will sport Gamma Green grounded in black with the Lightweight Colorblock Polo ($65). And on Sunday, Olesen will wear the Iconic Polo in Gamma Green ($65). He will finish his look with Nike Lunar Control footwear.

Contact: NEOhioGolf@yahoo.com