Karl Vilips went to the same college as Tiger Woods and now the rising Aussie star has become the first PGA Tour player picked by the 15-time major champ to join his Sun Day Red clothing stable that he’ll wear in his first start for 2025 in Mexico this week. The PGA Tour rookie, who only finished his college career at Stanford last May, will be decked out in Sun Day Red gear from his shoes to his hat having been chosen by Woods, who said the young Australian’s rise had been “marked by success at every level he’s played”. “We were drawn towards his relentless work ethic and pioneering spirit that embody what we stand for and look for in our athletes,” Wood said. “With his impressive track record and determination, I have no doubt he will make a significant impact quickly on the PGA Tour.” Vilips had to recover from a bulging disc in his back, discovered after a “nagging” issue at the Australian Open, to make his first start in his first season as a full card carrier. But Vilips, who already has a professional win under his belt, taking out the Utah Open on the secondary Korn Ferry Tour in the US last year, said he had put in a month of “solid work” to prepare for his season opener. “I had a bit of a nagging back injury at the Australian Open and was diagnosed as one with a stress fracture and took some time off,” he said from Mexico on Wednesday morning. “We later found out that it was a disc bulge and now I’m back earlier than expected. “I was supposed to be back at Valspar and once we found out it was just a disc bulge, we got to work pretty quickly and put in a good, good month of solid hard work to get me here already in mid-February.” Vilips said the deal to join Woods’ clothing brand had been in the works “for a while” having first met the former world No.1 when he was only six years old and a child prodigy. He said every meeting with Woods since then was “progressively a little bit better”, going from “awe-struck” to “special” now he’s the first golfer set to play in the apparel. “I’ve had a handful of interactions with him,” he said. In a setting where tradition meets disruption, one newcomer is stepping on the fairway, ready to challenge the champions. Reporter Danielle Collis explores. “All have been progressively a little bit better. I think the first time I met him, I was six and I was just awe-struck looking at him, couldn’t really say anything. Just listening to whatever he had to say, which I couldn’t tell you what that was. “And then I met him again a couple years later. And then throughout this whole process, it’s been really cool to hear what he’s had to say about me in picking me as an ambassador. It’s a huge honour, and then I haven’t really spoken him too much during the process, but I’m sure we will in the near future.” Vilips said the clothing was “awesome”, although he was waiting on the arrival of his missing suitcase full of gear he’ll wear at the Vidanta Vallarta Golf Course. He’ll be decked out from shoes, socks, pants, belt, glove as well as pants, shirts and hats tailor-made to fit his head. “I’ve been wearing the shoes for a few months, had time to get used to them,” he said. “I’m super comfy and can’t wait to wear them out here. “His decision to have me on the team, I take to heart, and I want to represent him the best I can.”