Karl Vilips went to the identical school as Tiger Woods and now the rising Aussie star has turn out to be the primary PGA Tour participant picked by the 15-time main champ to affix his Solar Day Crimson clothes secure that he’ll put on in his first begin for 2025 in Mexico this week.
Watch each spherical of the PGA Tour LIVE & Unique on Fox Sports activities, out there on Kayo. New to Kayo? Get your first month for simply $1. Restricted time provide.
The PGA Tour rookie, who solely completed his school profession at Stanford final Could, can be decked out in Solar Day Crimson gear from his footwear to his hat having been chosen by Woods.
His unveiling got here in a spine-tingling video posted by Solar Day Crimson, ending with the textual content: Make your mark, Karl.
Woods stated the younger Australian’s rise had been “marked by success at each degree he’s performed”.
“We have been drawn in direction of his relentless work ethic and pioneering spirit that embody what we stand for and search for in our athletes,” Woods stated.
“Along with his spectacular monitor file and dedication, I’ve little doubt he’ll make a big affect shortly on the PGA Tour.”
Vilips needed to recuperate from a bulging disc in his again, found after a “nagging” problem on the Australian Open, to make his first begin in his first season as a full card provider.
However Vilips, who already has knowledgeable win below his belt, taking out the Utah Open on the secondary Korn Ferry Tour within the US final yr, stated he had put in a month of “strong work” to arrange for his season opener.
“I had a little bit of a nagging again harm on the Australian Open and was recognized as one with a stress fracture and took a while off,” he stated from Mexico on Wednesday morning.
“We later came upon that it was a disc bulge and now I’m again sooner than anticipated.
“I used to be alleged to be again at Valspar and as soon as we came upon it was only a disc bulge, we set to work fairly shortly and put in a superb, good month of strong laborious work to get me right here already in mid-February.”
Vilips stated the deal to affix Woods’ clothes model had been within the works “for some time” having first met the previous world No.1 when he was solely six years outdated and a toddler prodigy.
He stated each assembly with Woods since then was “progressively a little bit bit higher”, going from “awe-struck” to “particular” now he’s the primary golfer set to play within the attire.
“I’ve had a handful of interactions with him,” he stated.
“All have been progressively a little bit bit higher. I feel the primary time I met him, I used to be six and I used to be simply awe-struck him, couldn’t actually say something. Simply listening to no matter he needed to say, which I couldn’t let you know what that was.
“After which I met him once more a pair years later. After which all through this entire course of, it’s been actually cool to listen to what he’s needed to say about me in selecting me as an envoy. It’s an enormous honour, after which I haven’t actually spoken him an excessive amount of throughout the course of, however I’m positive we’ll within the close to future.”
Vilips stated the clothes was “superior”, though he was ready on the arrival of his lacking suitcase full of drugs he’ll put on on the Vidanta Vallarta Golf Course.
He’ll be decked out from footwear, socks, pants, belt, glove in addition to pants, shirts and hats tailored to suit his head.
“I’ve been sporting the footwear for just a few months, had time to get used to them,” he stated.
“I’m tremendous cozy and may’t wait to put on them out right here.
“His determination to have me on the group, I take to coronary heart, and I wish to symbolize him one of the best I can.”