Top-ranked amateur Luke Clanton inks apparel deal with Nike Golf

Posted by author February 20, 2025 Golf

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What a week it has been for Luke Clanton.

The junior at Florida State, who is the top-amateur in the world, earned a spot in next week’s Cognizant Classic on the PGA Tour via a sponsor exemption. Then he won his fifth collegiate title at the Watersound Invitational. But perhaps his biggest news came Thursday.

Clanton announced via his Instagram page he has inked a deal with Nike.

Nike has pursued deals with other college golf stars in the past, like Vanderbilt senior Gordon Sargent and former USC standout Amari Avery. Clanton’s signing will likely pay off quickly.

He’s a point away from earning his PGA Tour card via PGA Tour University Accelerated, which he could do with a made cut next weekend in his hometown event. Regardless of his result at the Cognizant, Clanton is a virtual lock to win the Hogan Award in May, which will give him three points and secure his status in the professional ranks.

Since last summer, Clanton has made 11 PGA Tour stats with eight made cuts, three top-5 finishes and a pair of runners-up. Next week will be his fourth start of 2025, and he made the cut at the Farmers Insurance Open and placed T-15. He missed he cut at the Sony Open and WM Phoenix Open.

For Nike, it’s a brilliant signing of one of the game’s young stars. Clanton is 93rd in the Official World Golf Ranking while still an amateur. For Clanton, he’s now a part of Team Swoosh, which has had plenty of success in the professional golf ranks.

Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, Nelly Korda and Brooks Koepka are among Nike Golf’s current athletes. Now Clanton joins them as he gears up for the start of his professional career.