Jan. 12, 2005 – Tiger Woods picked up where he left off in 2004 -- another tremendous showing with the combination of 460cc Nike Ignite driver, the Nike One Gold ball, and a newly tailored swing. Woods finished tied for third and just two strokes off the lead at the season-opening Mercedes Championships in Maui.

He led the field in driving distance, averaging 298.5 yards, and led the week with the longest drive of the tournament with a gargantuan 407-yard launch. Also up was Woods' accuracy to 71.7 percent. Woods has finished in 2nd (Tour Championship), 1st (Dunlop Phoenix), 1st (Target World Challenge) and 3rd (Mercedes) since moving to the largest driver allowed within USGA standards, the 460cc Nike Ignite.

Stewart Cink, coming off of a career year in 2004, was also in contention throughout the week at Mercedes. He moved to the 460cc Nike Ignite driver when Woods did at The Tour Championship last November. Cink finished in a tie for fifth, just three strokes off the lead.

Source: Nike Golf