Tiger Woods signs deal to use TaylorMade golf clubs after Nike exit as he prepares for full-time return

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Tiger Woods, who is set for his full-time return to competitive golf this week, has announced he will use TaylorMade clubs after Nike's withdrawl from the golf equipment industry.

Woods is synonymous with Nike but the US sports giant decided last year to stop manufacturing clubs and balls, a decision that affected both Woods and Rory McIlroy.

'After several months of testing and all brands to choose from, the choice is clearly @TaylorMadeGolf,' said Woods on Twitter. 'Proud to join the family!'

Tiger Woods announced he will play with TaylorMade clubs on social media on Wednesday

The 14-time major champion pictured on Monday ahead of his return to competition this week 

His equipment deal is to use a TaylorMade driver, woods, irons and wedges. He was first seen using TaylorMade woods at the Hero World Challenge in December, his comeback event after 15 months out following back surgery, although no deal had been signed at that point.

Woods will continue to use a Scotty Cameron putter and recently signed another deal to use Bridgestone balls. He will continue to wear Nike apparel, meaning his iconic red shirt and black trousered image will remain unchanged.

It is understood that the 14-time major champion will use his old Nike irons at Torrey Pines this week while working with TaylorMade to develop a custom set that suit his game.

He was first seen using TaylorMade equipment at the Hero World Challenge in December

McIlroy, who confirmed he is out for two months with a stress fracture to a rib, had been experimenting with new clubs, but used a Callaway driver and woods, Titleist wedges and ball, and an Odyssey putter when finishing runner-up in South Africa earlier this month. 

There is an added element of intrigue to Woods' new deal as TaylorMade was put up for sale by parent company adidas last August, with Woods rumoured to be interested in a purchase. Although no buyer has yet been found, the addition of golf's most famous name will surely make it a more attractive proposition, or fuel more talk of Woods taking a stake in the company.

Woods will play in his first full-field event on the PGA Tour since September 2015 this week. The 41-year-old former world No 1, now ranked way down at No 663, spent nearly all of 2016 recovering from a third serious back operation in 18 months, but is now ready to test his fitness with a run of four tournaments in five weeks.

Woods is synonymous with Nike and will continue to wear their apparel

He will tee it up at the Farmers Insurance Open in San Diego this week before jetting to the Middle East for the Dubai Desert Classic. After a week's break he then plays in the Genesis Open in Los Angeles and finally the Honda Classic in Palm Beach, Florida. 

Such a packed schedule will be a huge test for his notoriously fragile back. Woods admits it is a concern, but does not feel he has anything to prove.

'I've won a few times on Tour and a few majors,' he said on Wednesday. 'I know either way I'll be a part of golf history with what I've done. I'm just looking forward to competing and playing again.

'You keep building, keep progressing and getting used to playing tournament golf again. I've played a lot at home, but it's different than being out here at our level and playing against these guys and the flow of playing tournament golf. I've been away from it for a very long time.

'I need to have my health at a state where I can prepare and get my game ready to play at an elite level. When I feel that way, I know I can shoot scores and win golf tournaments.'

His return to action in the Bahamas saw him finish 15th in the 17-man field despite making 24 birdies, the same as tournament winner Hideki Matsuyama.

'I'm looking forward to getting out and competing with those guys,' said Woods. 'I've missed playing. I've missed competing and I'm coming back to one of my favourite venues and looking forward to it.'