Table of Contents
Key Points
- PGA Tour rookie Karl Vilips becomes the first ambassador for Woods’s Sun Day Red brand, debuting at the Mexico Open.
- Puma claims Woods’s brand logo resembles its leaping cat emblem, sparking a legal battle over trademark infringement.
- Despite legal hurdles, Woods pushes Sun Day Red forward with TaylorMade, aiming to redefine golf fashion and grow his investment portfolio.
More than a month after Puma filed a lawsuit against his clothing brand, Sun Day Red, Tiger Woods, legendary golfer and one of the world’s Black billionaires, has introduced PGA Tour rookie Karl Vilips as the brand’s first ambassador—a major step in Woods’s effort to establish Sun Day Red despite ongoing legal pressure from the sportswear giant.
Tiger Woods backs rising golf star
Vilips, a 23-year-old from Australia, shares a similar path to Woods. Like the golf legend, he attended Stanford and once held the top spot in the world amateur rankings. He has excelled at every level, winning Junior Worlds at age 10, capturing the 2024 Pac-12 title, and securing his PGA Tour card after finishing 19th on last year’s Korn Ferry Tour. His season was highlighted by a victory at the Utah Championship, which helped him earn Rookie of the Year honors.
“Karl’s journey has been built on success at every stage,” Woods said in a statement. “At Sun Day Red, we were drawn to his relentless work ethic and pioneering spirit. With his record and determination, I have no doubt he’ll make an impact on the PGA Tour and be one of the game’s future stars.”
Vilips will make his PGA Tour debut as a Sun Day Red ambassador at this week’s Mexico Open, wearing the brand’s apparel—including shirts, pants, shoes, and raingear. “It’s exciting to be part of something new,” Vilips said. “Tiger was my idol growing up, and knowing he’s behind the design and performance of our gear gives us an edge no other brand can match. I couldn’t be prouder to be the first official ambassador.”
Sun Day Red Logo sparks Puma lawsuit
The latest announcement comes at a tense time for Sun Day Red. Puma has accused the brand’s logo—a red leaping tiger—of looking too much like its own leaping cat emblem. In a Jan. 2 filing, Puma argued that the resemblance could mislead consumers. Woods’s team has defended the design, which features 15 distinct lines to honor his 15 major titles, but it remains at the center of a growing trademark dispute.
“Given the similarity of the marks and the overlap in products, consumer confusion is highly likely,” Puma stated in its filing. This isn’t the first legal challenge Sun Day Red has faced. Earlier, personal air product company Tigeraire also contested the logo in a federal lawsuit.
Tiger Woods builds brand amid dispute
Despite the legal battle, TaylorMade, Woods’s partner in the venture, isn’t backing down. “We feel very confident in our trademarks and logos,” the company said in a statement. Trademark attorney Josh Gerben sees this as a tough case. “Puma’s claim has merit, and litigation always carries risks,” he said. “Logo disputes aren’t as common as fights over names or slogans, but with Tiger’s visibility, he’s an easy target.” If no agreement is reached, a trial could begin as early as September 2026, though Gerben believes a settlement is the more likely outcome.
Woods’s move into fashion comes after the end of his 27-year partnership with Nike in early 2024. Soon after, he joined forces with TaylorMade to launch Sun Day Red, named after the iconic red shirt he wears on Sundays. But his ambitions go well beyond apparel. Through TGR Ventures, he has invested in golf technology, hospitality software, and high-end mini-golf venues across the U.S., cementing his reputation as both a sports icon and a savvy businessman.