You remember where you were. It was 2015, just before the Masters, and a two-minute film hit our screens that basically stopped the sports world in its tracks. No, it wasn't a highlight reel. It wasn't a bunch of flashy graphics. It was just a kid in Northern Ireland named Rory, a washing machine, and a flickering TV set showing Tiger Woods.
The Rory McIlroy Nike ad, officially titled "Ripple," is arguably the most famous golf commercial ever made. Honestly, even a decade later, it still hits differently. It’s not just about selling polo shirts or those RZN golf balls we all forgot about. It’s about that weird, obsessive, beautiful way we idolize our heroes until we eventually have to beat them.
What actually happens in the Ripple ad?
Most people remember the "vibe" but forget the details. The commercial opens with a tiny Rory—played by an actor who looks scary-similar to the real-life phenom—watching Tiger win the ’94 U.S. Amateur. The kid is obsessed. He’s chipping balls into a washing machine in his kitchen. He’s out in the pouring rain at Holywood Golf Club while his dad, Gerry, watches from the car.
It’s moody. The music, a track called "Nuvole Bianche" by Ludovico Einaudi, starts out lonely and slow. You see the posters of Tiger on Rory's bedroom wall. Then, the "ripple" effect kicks in. The kid gets older. The swing gets faster. Suddenly, the grainy TV footage of Tiger starts to merge with Rory’s real life.
The climax? It’s not a trophy ceremony. It’s just the two of them walking down a fairway together in a tournament, side-by-side. No dialogue. Just a nod. Nike didn't need to say anything else because they had just captured the entire essence of sports: the student becoming the peer.
The $200 million background story
When Rory first signed that massive deal with Nike back in 2013, people were skeptical. He was leaving Titleist, the brand he’d used for years, and the rumor mill said the check was north of $200 million for ten years.
👉 See also: Was Bill Belichick Ever Married? What Most People Get Wrong
At first, things were rocky. He missed cuts. He struggled with the new clubs. But the Rory McIlroy Nike ad campaigns helped bridge that gap between the "awkward transition" and him becoming the face of the brand. Nike knew they couldn't just sell him as a winner; they had to sell him as the heir to Tiger’s throne.
By the time "Ripple" came out in 2015, Rory was the World No. 1. He had four majors. He was the only person who could share a screen with Tiger without looking like a backup singer.
Is the washing machine story even real?
This is the part everyone asks about. Did he actually chip balls into a washing machine?
Yeah, he did. It wasn’t just "creative license" for the commercial. His mom, Rosie, has joked in interviews about the noise of golf balls clattering against the metal drum of their machine. That’s the kind of authentic detail that made the ad work. People don’t relate to millionaires in private jets; they relate to a kid in a cramped kitchen trying to hit a target.
The 2026 perspective: What most people get wrong
Looking back from 2026, the legacy of that ad has changed. Most fans think Nike and Rory have been "club brothers" forever. But remember: Nike stopped making golf clubs and balls in 2016.
✨ Don't miss: Vertical Leap: What Most People Get Wrong About Jumping Higher
It was a shock. One minute they’re the biggest equipment power in the world, the next they’re just an "apparel and shoe" company. Rory eventually signed a massive deal with TaylorMade for his clubs, but he stayed with Nike for the clothes.
Wait, didn't they release a new one?
If you’ve been following the news lately, Nike dropped a "sequel" of sorts after Rory finally secured his career Grand Slam at the 2025 Masters. That ad was way more minimalist. It basically just showed a close-up of his face with the caption: "Always waiting." It went viral instantly because it called back to the decade of "almosts" Rory had at Augusta. It proved that even though the gear changed, the Nike-Rory storytelling engine is still the best in the business.
Why "Ripple" still matters for marketers (and fans)
Why does this one ad stick when we've seen a thousand others?
- Pacing: It doesn't rush. The first 30 seconds are practically silent.
- The Soundtrack: Using Einaudi’s piano piece instead of some generic "epic" rock song made it feel like a prestige film.
- Zero Sales Pitch: You don't see a price tag. You don't see a "Buy Now" button. You just see a dream.
- The Tiger Factor: It humanized Tiger Woods at a time when his public image was still recovering. It showed him as an inspiration, not just a headline.
The "Enjoy the Chase" era
A year after "Ripple," Nike released "Enjoy the Chase." It was different—lots of 5:30 a.m. gym sessions, nutritional shakes, and heavy lifting. It was meant to show that Rory wasn't just a natural talent; he was a grinder.
But it never quite hit the same heights as "Ripple." Why? Because we like the dream more than the gym. We like the idea of the kid watching his hero on TV and then standing next to him on the 18th green.
🔗 Read more: U of Washington Football News: Why Jedd Fisch’s Roster Overhaul Is Working
What to look for next
If you're a fan or a collector, keep an eye on the "vintage" Nike Golf pieces from the 2013-2016 era. The "Covert" drivers and the "Vapor" irons—the ones Rory used in those early ads—have actually become cult favorites.
But more importantly, watch how Rory carries himself now. In 2026, he’s the elder statesman. He’s the one being watched on TV by the next kid in Holywood or Jupiter or Tokyo. The ripple hasn't stopped; it's just getting wider.
Actionable Insight: If you’re ever feeling uninspired in your own hobbies or career, go find the two-minute version of the "Ripple" ad on YouTube. It’s a masterclass in why we do things for the love of the game before the money ever shows up. Just don't try the washing machine trick at home—your spouse (and your repairman) will thank you.
To see the current gear Rory is actually playing this season, you should check out the latest "What's In The Bag" breakdowns for 2026, as he's been tweaking his TaylorMade setup significantly since that Masters win.