Tiger to have Buick on the bag

In a marriage between the first corporate sponsor of the PGA Tour and the hottest property in golf, Tiger Woods has agreed to a deal in which he will carry the Buick logo on his golf bag next year, according to a published report.

In a marriage between the first corporate sponsor of the PGA Tour and the hottest property in golf, Tiger Woods has agreed to a deal in which he will carry the Buick logo on his golf bag next year, according to a published report.

Golfweek Magazine, in a report on its Web site on Tuesday night, cited industry sources as saying the deal will pay Woods between $10 million and $15 million during the next two years.

Woods' agent at IMG was in Hawaii for the Grand Slam of Golf and could not immediately be reached for comment.

Next to the hat, a player's bag is the most visible and attractive to corporate sponsors. Woods' has carried a Titleist bag since turning pro, but bidding was under way when Titleist signed a new deal with the 23-year-old star in which it gave up the rights to use him in advertisements.

The magazine said Woods likely would carry the name of another General Motors brand for overseas events.

Woods also would be expected to play in six of the eight PGA Tour events that Buick sponsors over the next two years. Buick has tournaments in San Diego, Michigan, New York and Georgia.

Buick first became a corporate sponsor of the PGA Tour in 1958.

"We believe that golf continues to present a terrific marketing opportunity for us, and we would like to play bigger and be more effective," said Anthony Derhake, brand manger of golf for Buick. "So, yes, we are looking for ways to do that, and one strategy would entail hooking up with a player of Tigers stature."