A rising star on the PGA Tour is teaming up with the biggest name in golf. 23-year-old rookie Karl Vilips has been named the first brand ambassador for Tiger Woods’ new clothing line, Sun Day Red.
A Prodigy’s Journey
Vilips has been on a meteoric rise in the golf world. The Australian native had a stellar junior career before joining the powerhouse program at Stanford University. There, he made an immediate impact:
- 2024 Pac-12 Conference individual champion
- Two-time first-team All-Pac-12 selection
But Vilips truly broke out in his first professional season on the Korn Ferry Tour in 2024. He captured his first title at the Utah Championship en route to being named the tour’s Rookie of the Year.
Catching Tiger’s Eye
Those accomplishments clearly caught the attention of Tiger Woods and his team at Sun Day Red. Woods sang Vilips’ praises in the announcement:
“Karl’s journey has been marked by success at every level he’s played. 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.”
– Tiger Woods
Woods made it clear he expects big things from his first signing: “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’ “Thrill”
For Vilips, partnering with his childhood idol is a dream come true. He shared his excitement in the press release:
“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. Tiger Woods was my idol growing up… I couldn’t be more proud to be the brand’s first official ambassador.”
– Karl Vilips
A Perfect Fit
In many ways, Vilips is the ideal ambassador to launch Sun Day Red. His youth, talent, and charisma make him extremely marketable as the fresh face of a new brand.
At the same time, his ties to Woods – from idolizing him as a child to following in his footsteps at Stanford – create a powerful narrative connecting the past and future of the sport.
Mexico Open Debut
Golf fans won’t have to wait long to see Vilips in his new gear. He will sport Sun Day Red apparel this week when he makes his PGA Tour season debut at the Mexico Open.
All eyes will certainly be on the young phenom as he looks to translate his Korn Ferry Tour success to golf’s biggest stage. Having Tiger in his corner definitely won’t lower expectations.
What Lies Ahead
While signing Vilips is a major coup for a new brand, Sun Day Red certainly won’t stop there. Expect more rising stars and established names to join the red and black ranks in the months ahead.
As for Vilips, the future looks as bright as the sun emblazoned on his new shirts. If he can harness his prodigious talent and emulate the icon he now represents, there may be no limit to how high he can soar.
One thing is for sure: with Tiger Woods’ brand backing him, Karl Vilips will be impossible to miss – both visually with his red attire, and on leaderboards as he makes his PGA Tour ascent.
