Nike Adds Golfers Nick Watney & Kyle Stanley to Sponsorship Roster

Nike officially kicked off the free-agent signing season by unveiling on Tuesday the most recent members of its PGA Tour stable of golfers, Nick Watney and Kyle Stanley.

Stanley, signed a multi-year contract covering all his equipment — clubs, balls, footwear, gloves, apparel, caps, and accessories. He’ll make his Nike debut with the manufacturer’s new VR_S Covert driver.

The 25-year-old from Washington introduced himself to golf fans last year after he rebounded from a 72nd-hole collapse and playoff loss at Torrey Pines to win the Phoenix Open a week later by one stroke. A tour pro since 2011, Stanley was eighth in the league in driving distance last year.

“Kyle is a solid player with incredible talent,” Mark Thaxton, Nike’s global director of sports marketing operations, said in a statement. “He’s a terrific ball striker with incredible confidence. We know Kyle will shine as a Nike Golf athlete and we are thrilled to welcome him to the Nike family.”

A five-time tour winner, Watney, also recently divorced from Titleist, is in for the full treatment as well. It is the first equipment change for the 31-year-old Californian in his 10-year professional career.

“Nick is a tremendous athlete with a passion for sports and the Nike Brand. He is a good, solid, consistent player and one of his main strengths is that he has no weaknesses,” said Thaxton about one of a handful of players who won twice in 2012. “We are thrilled to welcome Nick to the Nike family.”

A fan of the Nike brand since he was a child, Watney is thrilled to continue his career with the number one sports brand in the world. “I am excited to call myself a Nike athlete,” said Watney.  “I am proud to wear the Swoosh because it’s the symbol of excellence across all sports and golf is no exception.”