JockStocks: What will be worn at the British Open

The thing is, this isn't just the case for Tiger Woods. Sergio Garcia, Kenny Perry, and Lucas Glover have all had their outfits pre-picked for them by their sponsors. The reason for following this strategy is to maximize the face time that the company's brand will receive. The same strategy holds true for tennis. When Andy Roddick faced Roger Federer in the Wimbledon finals, it was a matchup of two of the greatest tennis players in the world -- but it was also a matchup between two iconic brands, Nike and Izod. Nike had the win planned down to the after-match jacket, which was emblazoned with a gold 15 to symbolize the new record number of wins the Federer holds at major tournaments. Sponsors are ready with an outfit for any occasion.

As for golf, the article notes that planning outfits dates back to the 1980s, but it wasn't as structured. Nike has now planned it down to the hat that Tiger will wear on the weekend. Now, it isn't like Tiger has no say on what he will wear. He is given the chance to approve or reject outfits. Doug Reed, Nike's global director of golf notes, "Tiger won't wear white pants." Thank God, in my opinion, white pants are the scourge of the golf course... I blame it all on Ian Poulter, although I like the knickers look. Phil Mickelson has a rather sizable hand in what he wears this year, as he has no clothing contract and decides what he will wear on the course with the help of a London tailor (which makes me now know who to blame for this look).

All of this waxing poetic about clothing points out a very interesting note -- which is exactly how active golf sponsors are with their stable of players. In fact, we may get a chance to see the apparel firms' offerings in rain gear (like we did in the U.S. Open) with the volatile Scottish weather. But no matter what the weather, we know what Tiger will be wearing... let's just hope that it isn't something like this, this, or this -- that's John Daly ladies and gents... yowza.