Tour Pro Becomes Latest To Leave Nike Golf As Malbon Snaps Up Another Player
Ryan Ruffels has become the latest Nike player to join after Jason Day inked an ambassadorial deal earlier in the year.
Malbon Golf has snapped up another Nike player after former teen prodigy Ryan Ruffels inked a deal with the lifestyle brand.
During the earlier part of the season, Jason Day, a professional golfer with 13 victories on the PGA Tour, terminated his affiliation with Nike after seven years. He made this decision public when he announced that he had entered into an ambassadorial agreement with Malbon prior to The Sentry tournament.
The clothing brand has recently recruited a new athlete from Nike, following the announcement of Ruffels joining their team.
Ruffels, who had a successful amateur career and emerged as the winner of the 2014 Junior World Golf Championships, has not participated in any competitive events this year. In 2023, the Australian primarily played on the Challenge Tour, achieving his highest placement with a T19 finish at the AndalucĂa Challenge de Cádiz.
The brother of LPGA Tour player Gabi Ruffels, the 25-year-old attended the LIV Golf Promotions Event in December but failed to make it past the first stage. He also has his own YouTube channel and has recently appeared in a number of videos alongside Rick Shiels.
Day and Ruffels are not the only names to leave Nike in the new year, with LIV’s Matthew Wolff and former Ryder Cup star Francesco Molinari also ending their deals.
Tiger Woods, who concluded his famous 27-year alliance with the company in January, was particularly notable. The renowned 15-time Major winner has recently disclosed the introduction of his clothing brand, Sun Day Red, in collaboration with TaylorMade.
Despite this, Nike continues to maintain high-profile agreements with notable athletes such as Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, Tommy Fleetwood, and Nelly Korda. Additionally, they have recently made headlines by securing the signature of top DP World Tour player Guido Migliozzi.
