In Case You Missed It: Wayne Rooney tests golf’s etiquette

They might not be as savvy as Mike’s Golf Shop, but Nike’s got some rather creative marketers, plus some star power.

Earlier this year it was Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy going head-to-head on the driving range decked out in their Nike gear.

Now McIlroy is taking on another Nike sports star, but one who’s more comfortable using his feet than his hands.

Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney moves from the pitch to the green in an 18-hole battle of one-upmanship with McIlroy with a swinging Bing Crosby tune to lighten the mood. But to make things fair, Rooney uses a soccer ball he conspicuously pulls from his golf bag, while McIlroy still has a firm grip on his clubs.

Nike says its new Ordem Football was inspired by a golf ball design giving it more flight control, so now the commercial makes a little more sense beyond a who’s who of Nike-sponsored athletes.

But somehow Rooney and McIlroy are tied at 9-under par even though Rooney’s ball can’t and never does go in the hole.

Rooney even gets a well-played assist from Brazilian soccer legend Ronaldo.

Eh, it’s soccer where they are happy to end in a tie.