Tiger Woods' Sun Day Red apparel line signs its first tour pro and, yes, he has a clear tie to Tiger

When Tiger Woods is your founder, as is the case with the apparel line Sun Day Red, you’ve already got a pretty good pitchman for your product. Still, the intent when Woods helped launch the line last year was always to have a tour staff showcasing the line, and the first step to that became official Tuesday. That’s when the company named PGA Tour rookie Karl Vilips as its first brand ambassador.

The choice of Vilips goes beyond merely the fact that like Woods, he played college golf at Stanford. The 23-year-old from Australia has proven himself at each level of the game, winning Junior Worlds at age 10, claiming the 2024 Pac-12 title in college and quickly securing a PGA Tour card after finishing 19th in the 2024 Korn Ferry Tour standings. That included a win at the Utah Championship that also secured him Rookie of the Year honors.

Vilips also has developed a social media presence during his nascent career. He and his father, Paul, began documenting his golf development on YouTube at age 6 in 2008.

“Karl’s journey has been marked by success at every level he's played,” Woods said in a press release. “At Sun Day Red, we were drawn towards his relentless work ethic, and pioneering spirit that embody what we stand for and look for in our athletes. With his impressive track record and determination, I have no doubt he will make a significant impact quickly on the PGA Tour and is one of the game’s future stars."

Vilips will debut in Sun Day Red apparel, including shirts, pants, shoes and raingear, at this week’s Mexico Open, which will also be his first start as an official PGA Tour member.

"It's a thrill to be a part of Sun Day Red, especially so early on as we start to grow the brand around the world," Karl said. "Tiger Woods was my idol growing up, and knowing that he drives the insights and meticulousness behind Sun Day Red's apparel and footwear gives us a unique edge that no other company can match. I couldn't be more proud to be the brand's first official ambassador."