Tiger Woods signs deal to play TaylorMade golf clubs

Tiger Woods, making his first regular-season PGA Tour appearance in 17 months this week, announced Wednesday he will play TaylorMade equipment.

"After several months of testing and all brands to choose from, the choice is clearly @TaylorMadeGolf. Proud to join the family!" Woods tweeted.

It is a multi-year deal but no financial information was disclosed, according to a TaylorMade press release. The deal is for all clubs except the putter.

Woods will play the company's metal woods, irons and wedges. He also will work with TaylorMade's club engineers and have a role in designing and developing a new iron model that will make its debut at a future date to be determined, according to the company.

Woods' former equipment company, Nike, announced last year that it was getting out of the golf equipment business. He had been with Nike since turning pro in 1996.

"Throughout my career, I've always been meticulous about my equipment," Woods said in the TaylorMade press release. "Over the past few months, I've had clubs from every brand sent to me to test. When it came to making a final decision, the choice was easy -- it all came down to performance, which is why I chose TaylorMade."

In December, Woods signed an endorsement deal to play Bridgestone golf balls. He is expected to still wear the Nike hat as an endorser of the company that will concentrate on its golf footwear and apparel.

Woods, who turned 41 on Dec. 30, underwent the last two of his three back surgeries since his last tournament when he tied for 10th in the Wyndham Championship in August 2015. He seemed to have no physical problems when he played in the unofficial Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas last month.

Woods returns on Thursday at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines Golf Resort. He will play the first two rounds with world No. 1 Jason Day and No. 3 Dustin Johnson.

Woods has experienced a lot of success at the courses in La Jolla, just north of San Diego. He has eight victories at Torrey Pines, including the memorable 2008 U.S. Open when he outdueled Rocco Mediate in a 19-hole playoff -- the last of his 14 major champioships.