Tiger Woods explains ditching Nike shoes for FootJoy at Masters

Tiger Woods' presence at Augusta National this week 14 months removed from a devastating leg injury was shocking on its own.

Then people saw his shoes. 

After donning Nikes for decades as part of a lucrative partnership since turning pro in 1996, Woods walked the hallowed Augusta National grounds Sunday wearing FootJoys. He has done so since while playing practice rounds in his anticipated return to major competition.

Woods confirmed Tuesday that his plan is to play this week when the Masters gets underway Thursday. 

"As of right now, I feel like I am going to play," Woods told reporters. 

And when he does — barring a setback with his injured leg — he'll be wearing FootJoys. He explained why Tuesday. 

'I needed something ... that allowed me to be more stable'

“I have very limited mobility now,” Woods said. “Just with the rods and plates and screws that are in my leg, I needed something different, something that allowed me to be more stable. That's what I've gone to. 

"Nike's been fantastic over the years of providing me with equipment and work, and we have worked, we've been working on trying to find something to allow me to do this and swing again. We're still going to continue doing it, and hopefully we'll have something soon.”

Phil Knight can't be pleased to hear that. But if Woods' surgically repaired leg requires more stability than Nike can provide, what is he to do? While his relationship with Nike is critical, it's not paramount. His health and his ability to walk the course and play the game take higher priority. 

Walking the rolling hills of Augusta National is no easy task to begin with, much less on a surgically reconstructed leg. Let Tiger explain:

“I can hit it just fine," Woods said. "I don’t have any qualms about what I can do physically from a golf standpoint. It’s now walking is the hard part. This is normally not an easy walk to begin with. Now, given the conditions that my leg is in, it gets even more difficult."

So Nike's left to grit its proverbial teeth and get its designers to work on something that Woods can wear on the golf course. The apparel company has already taken the subject on via the public relations front, getting ahead of Woods in addressing his shoe switch. Nike issued a statement Monday after the sight of Tiger's FootJoy's sparked a buzz.

“Like golf fans around the world, we are delighted to see Tiger back on the course," the statement reads. "He is an incredible athlete, and it is phenomenal to see him returning to the game at this level. His story continues to transcend sport and inspire us all. As he continues his return, we will work with him to meet his new needs.”

The good news for Nike is that Woods is still wearing the iconic swoosh and branded Tiger Woods logo elsewhere on his body. But Nike is not an apparel behemoth because of its golf shirts.