TaylorMade-Adidas Golf Company (TMaG) of Carlsbad, California is a U.S. headquartered subsidiary of the German-based Adidas Group. TaylorMade was started in 1979 by Gary Adams, the inventor of the metalwood, and the company has continued to maintain a consistent presence at the top of golf product innovation since that time. TaylorMade was independently owned until 1984 when Salomon S.A. aqcuired the company. At the time, the union was strategically compatible for both companies which were innovators in their industries. Salomon wanted to diversify and made the decision to enter a "three-season" market, and TaylorMade benefited from the world-wide resources of Salomon. TaylorMade remained a part of Salomon until Adidas bought Salomon in 1997.
Eldrick Tont "Tiger" Woods is an American professional golfer whose achievements to date rank him among the most successful golfers of all time. Formerly the World No. 1, he was the highest-paid athlete in the world according to Forbes for several years; he is currently No.3 after boxers Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao.