joshgianoI get liking money, but when you've won both tours money list, I bet you've got plenty of cash. The move doesn't make sence.
i don't think money was the reason. i find it hard to believe he wouldn't have been able to find enough sponsors to get the money up to pretty close to the same level. it might not have all come from one company, but i think he could have done it.
i think this had to do with being a global icon. he wanted to be "the man" at a company and Acushnet was never going to do that. Titleist/FJ sell products on the reputation of the product. other companies (especially Nike and Cobra/Puma) sell on the reputation of the player. that meant he had to go with someone who would focus their marketing on him instead of the product.