Nike Golf Unveils Athlete Looks for the U.S. Open

Elite Cooling styles will help Nike Golf athletes beat the hot, humid days at Pinehurst

(BEAVERTON, Ore.) – Muggy humidity and the North Carolina heat are no match for the cool and comfortable styles Nike Golf athletes will be sporting at this year’s U.S. Open.

Under the theme of Engineered for Greatness, Nike Golf athletes will tee off in Elite Cooling apparel designed beat the heat, featuring lightweight, cool-to-touch fabrics; strategically placed mesh panels; and woven constructions for superior ventilation and breathability, perfect for the traditionally hot June temperatures at Pinehurst.

Nike Golf’s Elite Cooling styles for the U.S. Open include the Innovation Dri-FIT Knit Cool polo, with a premium jacquard knit fabric that offers ventilation and breathability where athletes need it most, and the Innovation Embossed polo featuring a full 100-percent Dri-FIT mesh back to allow moisture and body heat escape.

“We’re lucky as Nike athletes because we get to wear the best apparel for the best performance, which is especially important in those hot and humid conditions,” says Nike Golf Athlete Francesco Molinari. “I like that all the fabrics are really stretchy, and really comfortable. So no matter how hot it is or how much I sweat, it really doesn’t matter -- it doesn’t affect me when I’m playing. I can still swing without any problems, and that’s the main thing you want when you play golf in that sort of weather. “

“It’s really important that the clothes fit properly,” adds Nike Golf Athlete Charl Schwartzel. “It makes a big difference. If they are too big or too small, they can start to get very sticky on your body. The Nike apparel I wear is the best clothing out there. The shirts and pants breathe really well, and they don’t stick to you. All the Nike athletes are really fortunate to be wearing these clothes.”

Ten Nike Golf athletes will compete at the 2014 U.S. Open: Rory McIlroy, Paul Casey, Oliver Fisher, Cody Gribble, Russell Henley, Francesco Molinari, Seung Yul Noh, Charl Schwartzel, Kevin Tway and Nike Watney.

Here’s what McIlroy, Henley, Molinari, Schwartzel and Watney will be wearing:

Rory McIlroy
McIlroy will compete for his second U.S. Open trophy wearing the Innovation Dri-FIT Knit Cool polo ($75) in the first and third rounds. A premium jacquard knit fabric provides breathability throughout the upper body, in addition to pinhole mesh panels on the sides and back. He’ll sport the Lightweight Innovation Color polo ($75) – the same style he wore at Augusta – on Friday and Sunday. McIlroy will pair each polo with the Modern Tech Pant ($80), Innovation Woven Cover-up ($120), Tour Mesh Cap ($30), Sleek Modern Plaque belt ($50) and Nike Lunar Control footwear ($200). Driver and ball: Nike VRS Covert 2.0 Tour driver and Nike RZN Black ball

Paul Casey
In the hunt for his first Major Championship, Casey will wear the Ultra Polo 2.0 ($65), Key Iconic Polo 2.0, Lightweight Innovation Cool polo ($65), and Key Stretch Stripe polo ($70). He’ll finish each look with the Flat Front Tech pant ($80), Stripe Novelty pant ($85), Dri-FIT Performance Half Zip ($75), Signature Swoosh Logo Cutout II Belt ($30), Ultralight Tour Legacy cap ($30), and Nike Lunar Control footwear. Driver and ball: Nike VRS Covert 2.0 Tour driver and Nike RZN Platinum ball

Oliver Fisher
Fisher will wear the Sport Swing Movement polo ($60), Sport Nike Swing polo, and Sport Pile Stripe polo ($70). On his feet he’ll lace up in Nike Lunar Control footwear and complete each look with the Dri-FIT Performance Half Zip, Flat Front Tech pant, Signature Swoosh Logo Cutout II belt, and Flat Bill Tour cap ($30). Driver and ball: Nike VRS Covert driver and RZN Black ball

Cody Gribble
Gribble will stay cool in the Lightweight Innovation Cool polo, Embossed polo, Key Stretch Stripe polo, and Key Iconic Polo 2.0. Hi arsenal includes the Tour Perforated cap ($28), Dri-FIT Performance Half Zip, Flat Front Tech pant, Signature Swoosh Logo Cutout II Belt and Nike Lunar Control footwear. Driver and ball: Nike VRS Covert driver and RZN Black ball

Russell Henley
Henley will sport a range of stripes and solids, including: The Lightweight Innovation Cool polo; Key Bold Heather Stripe polo ($65); Embossed polo ($65); and the Nike Ultra Stripe Polo 2.0 ($60). He’ll finish each look with the Flat Front Tech pant, Nike Golf Plaid Pant ($85), Dri-FIT Performance Half Zip, Tall Tour Visor ($24) and Signature Swoosh Logo Cutout II Belt, and lace up in Nike Lunar Control footwear. Driver and ball: Nike VRS STR8-FIT driver and Nike RZN Black ball.

Francesco Molinari
Molinari will stay cool in the lightweight Ultra Polo 2.0 polo on Friday and Sunday, featuring cool-to-touch fabric – comprised of a polyester and spandex Dri-FIT jersey blend -- and a full range-of-motion construction built to move with his body through the swing. He’ll also sport the Innovation CB Pocket polo ($70), Key Stretch Stripe polo, Flat Front Tech pant, Dri-FIT Performance Half Zip, Tour Mesh Cap, Nike Reversible Belt ($45) and TW’ 14 footwear. Driver and ball: Nike Covert 2.0 driver and Nike RZN Black ball.

Seung Yul Noh
The 2014 Zurich Classic winner will compete in the Sport Stripe polo ($75), Ultra Stripe Polo 2.0, Key Stretch Stripe polo, and Innovation Protect polo ($70). His head-to-toe arsenal also includes the Modern Tech pant, Dri-FIT Performance Half Zip, Tour Mesh cap, Swoosh Logo Plaque Buckle belt, and Nike Lunar Control footwear. Driver and ball: Nike VRS Covert 2.0 Tour driver and Nike RZN Platinum ball

Charl Schwartzel
Schwartzel will wear polos in a range of bright and bold colors: The Swing Movement polo; Sport Chest Pocket polo; and Sport Pile Stripe polo. His Sunday shirt, the Sport Color Block polo, is constructed with 100-percent lightweight Dri-FIT jersey material to move with him through the swing. He’ll round out his arsenal with the Modern Tech pant, Dri-FIT Performance Half Zip, Tour Mesh cap, Nike Reversible belt and FI Impact footwear ($130). Driver and ball: Nike VRS Covert 2.0 Tour driver and Nike RZN Black ball.

Kevin Tway
Tway will sport the Nike Victory Stripe polo ($55), Key Iconic Polo 2.0 ($65), Key Stretch Stripe polo ($70) and Key Body Mapping polo ($65). His head-to-toe arsenal includes the Flat Front Tech pant, Dri-FIT Performance Half Zip, Tour Mesh cap, Nike Reversible belt and Nike Lunar Control footwear. Driver and ball: Nike VRS Covert 2.0 Tour driver and Nike RZN Black ball.

Nick Watney
Watney will suit up in the Innovation Embossed polo ($70) on Friday, featuring a 100-percent Dri-FIT mesh back for breathability, in addition to the Ultra Polo 2.0; Key Iconic Polo 2.0 polo, and Embossed polo. Watney will pair each polo with the Flat Front Tech pant, Dri-FIT Performance Half Zip, Flat Bill Tour cap, Signature Swoosh Logo Cutout II belt and Nike Lunar Control footwear. Driver and ball: Nike VRS Covert 2.0 driver and Nike RZN Platinum ball.

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