Golf fans and industry watchers are buzzing with speculation after Tommy Fleetwood was spotted at a practice round for the Dubai Invitational wearing attire conspicuously missing the iconic Nike swoosh. The sighting has ignited rumours that the English star's long-term partnership with the sportswear giant may be over.
Wardrobe Change Sparks Immediate Reaction
As Fleetwood prepared for his return to action at the Dubai Invitational, eagle-eyed observers noted his kit lacked the familiar Nike logo, save for his golf shoes. Instead, the 34-year-old from Southport appeared to be sporting a polo shirt from the Canadian athletic brand Lululemon.
Footage of the practice round, shared on TaylorMade's social media channels, was quickly dissected by followers. One commenter pointedly noted, "No swoosh? Lulu," accompanied by an eyes emoji, capturing the collective surprise. Fleetwood, a six-time tour winner and Ryder Cup stalwart, has counted Nike among his key sponsors alongside TaylorMade and Tag Heuer for years.
Potential Shift in Golf's Sponsorship Landscape
Should Fleetwood have indeed switched allegiances to Lululemon, he would be following a growing trend. The brand made significant moves into professional golf in 2025, signing high-profile deals with Australian player Min Woo Lee and American star Max Homa.
Lululemon announced Homa's ambassadorship in January 2025, highlighting his tour wins and affection for their ABC pants. As of now, there has been no official comment from Fleetwood, Nike, or Lululemon regarding any change in sponsorship arrangements, leaving the golf world in a state of informed speculation.
Defending Champion on Home Soil
The intrigue comes as Fleetwood prepares to defend his title at the Dubai Invitational, an event he won in its inaugural year in January 2024. He clinched that victory by a single shot, edging out rivals Rory McIlroy and Thriston Lawrence with a birdie on the final hole.
The tournament was not held in 2025, meaning Fleetwood enters this week as the reigning champion. The Englishman, who is an Everton supporter and an honorary fellow of Liverpool John Moores University, now resides in Dubai with his family, having moved from Merseyside in 2022.
Speaking in 2024 about his adopted home, Fleetwood praised Dubai's passion for golf, predicting the game would "keep growing here." He expressed his joy at winning locally, stating, "It's great to kick off the year with a great result and push on from here." Whether he pushes on with a new kit sponsor remains the week's biggest unanswered question.
