Japan, Hawaii
in Woods’ plans

Tiger going on the road for Nike,
Sumitomo, Kauai Grand Slam

Associated Press

DUBLIN, Ohio -- Tiger Woods and Nike are taking their road show to Japan.

Woods, who has played in Thailand and Australia and is working on a five-year, $40 million endorsement deal with Nike, will do a clinic and public appearances for the apparel company Nov. 7-9 in Tokyo, sources told the Associated Press.

He then will stay in Japan to play the Sumitomo Visa Taiheiyo Masters on Nov. 12-15, then participate in the Grand Slam of Golf in Hawaii on Nov. 18-19, according to sources both in the U.S. and Japan.

"That scenario is correct," said one source familiar with the logistics on the Asian end.

The Grand Slam of Golf is a PGA of America event involving the winners of the four major championships. Woods has already qualified for it by winning the Masters in April.

"Check the schedule for the dates of the Grand Slam, and it makes sense that Tiger would go to Japan in November," said an industry source who spoke only on the condition of anonymity. "You are not wrong in saying he will play there."

Woods' agency, International Management Group, would neither confirm nor deny the source report. Nike would also not comment on the matter.

Nike signed Woods to the richest contract in the history of golf last August. In addition to his success -- five victories in only 17 tournaments as a pro -- the youthful exuberance of the 21-year-old Woods and the fact that his mother is from Thailand makes Woods a perfect fit for Nike's international marketing strategy.

Woods took the Nike swoosh to the Australian Open last November, finishing fifth, won the Asian Honda Classic in Thailand in February and was 12th in the Australian Masters the following week.

The young star received appearance fees ranging from $200,000 to $400,000 for each of those events.