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Sports giant Nike now has the two biggest names in golf on their books after Rory McIlroy (L) joined Tiger Woods at their stable. Getty Images
McIlroy, currently ranked the No. 1 player in the world, has signed a multi-year contract reputed to be worth in excess of $200 million with Nike. The deal catapults the 23-year-old into the top bracket of sporting earners, a stratosphere Tiger knows all about. AFP/Getty Images
Woods signed a deal reportedly worth $40 million with Nike when he turned pro in 1996 and the firm built their golf business around him in the coming years. When he renegotiated in 2000, a five-year deal was said to have earned him $100m. But of late, his star has waned. Robert Laberge/Getty Images/file
Tiger's last major title -- his 14th in total -- came at the 2008 U.S. Open. The following year news of his extra marital affairs broke and he took a break from the game. Nike stood by him, chairman Phil Knight calling it a "minor blip" but the 37-year-old has struggled to recapture his best form since. Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images/file
Conversely, McIlroy's star is on the rise. After grabbing his first major at the 2011 U.S. Open he took his second at the U.S. PGA Championship last year. He finished top of the money lists on both the PGA and European Tours, matching Luke Donald's feat from the 2011 season. Getty Images
Despite being rivals on the course Woods and McIlroy's relationship off it has strengthened in recent years. They have been paired together numerous times at tournaments around the world, much to the delight of sponsors, marketers and spectators. Getty Images
The pair are continually in demand and played an exhibition match in China, dubbed the "Duel at Jinsha Lake", for which they were reportedly paid $2 million. Both players clearly enjoyed each other's company. Getty Images
Even at the Ryder Cup, after Europe had completed one of the most dramatic comebacks in the competition's history to retain the trophy and stun the U.S. team, a triumphant McIlroy and despondent Woods managed to share a joke. Getty Images
