If we look at the top PGA Tour, LIV Golfer’s bags at the 107th PGA Championship, one brand that dominates is – TaylorMade!
From Rory McIlroy to Scottie Scheffler, who uses the TaylorMade Qi10 driver with an 8° head and his Qi35 paired with Ventus Black 8X shaft, the brand is prominent in the sport.
Not only that, but in Scheffler’s recent victory at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, the World No. 1 was seen using TaylorMade irons based on Tiger Woods‘ model, i.e. the P7TW irons.
With such dominance on course, the company’s presence may seem inevitable, until now!
Amid the season’s second major, the PGA Championship, TaylorMade is making headlines for a different reason.
The owners are looking to sell TaylorMade
According to the Korean Economic Daily, Centroid Investment Partners, a South Korean private equity firm that has had a strong controlling stake in TaylorMade since 2021, has confirmed its plans to divest its ownership of the equipment giant. So, what is the plan?
Centroid has opted for an outright sale, instead of pursuing an IPO ( initial public offering), according to Golf Digest.
A move that will clearly reshape the golf equipment industry in the coming time.
The decision, reached after a review by JP Morgan and Jefferies, was based on a risk-return analysis that favoured a stake sale over an IPO.
Centroid originally acquired TaylorMade for $1.7 billion in 2021, but now, the brand is expected to fetch a staggering $3.5 billion
However, the divestiture plan isn’t without complications. A crucial part of Centroid’s ownership of TaylorMade was the investment of Korean fashion conglomerate F&F, which contributed $392 million to the original purchase.
It makes it more than 23% of the total deal.
F&F has consistently opposed the sale, pitching for a future IPO instead.
Reports indicate that F&F believes it has the first right of refusal on any potential sale, meaning it could block the transaction or attempt to secure control through fund liquidation.
Yet, amidst this corporate tug-of-war, TaylorMade’s deep-rooted connection with Tiger Woods remains a defining part of its legacy.
Tiger Woods’ growing partnership with TaylorMade
Woods made a monumental shift in his equipment choices when he joined TaylorMade in January 2017 after parting ways with Nike.
His signature P7TW irons soon became a favourite among elite players, including Scottie Scheffler, further cementing his influence on the brand.
But in 2024, Woods took this partnership beyond equipment, launching his own apparel brand, “Sun Day Red,” under TaylorMade’s umbrella.
“We are honoured that Tiger has trusted us with expanding our partnership to create an iconic brand led by the greatest athlete in the history of our sport,” the authorities stated after the partnership.
“TaylorMade is proud to launch the Sun Day Red brand with Tiger’s expertise guiding the collaboration with our talented team of designers, marketers, and industry leaders. This is a historic day for TaylorMade, Tiger, and the game of golf, and we are humbled to be a part of it.”
But now, with TaylorMade up for sale, the big question that looms is – the next ruling brand?
More Golf: Revisiting Tiger Woods’ Back-to-Back PGA Championship Title Runs
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