Paul Casey has given the thumbs up to the new Nike driver World No. 1 Rory McIlroy will take into competition in the New Year.

Casey joined all five Nike staff players in unveiling the crimson-coloured SV Covert driver on day one of the storm affected Barclays Singapore Open on Sentosa Island.

Joining Casey using the club for a very first time was fellow Ryder Cup star Francesco Molinari along with Spain’s Pablo Martin, England’s Simon Dyson and Glasgow’s Scott Jamieson.

McIlroy had been observed inspecting Dyson’s clubs ahead of the $6m event and his official signing with Nike following the completion of next fortnight’s season-ending Dubai World Championship.Casey holed a 20-footer for birdie at 18 in a round of a three under par 68 that put him three strokes behind eventual first round leader Chapchai Nirant of Thailand who posted a 65 mid-morning today (Frid) to lead the co-sanctioned event.Martin, also using the new Nike driver, posted a four under par 67.

The Nike VR S Covert driver is distinct, not only for its deep magneta red colour but it has a large chunk missing from the back of the sole.

Nike’s Paul Casey explains the workings of the new VR S Nike Covert driver to members of the media reporting on the Barclays Singapore Open.

However the secret of the club is to be found at the end of the shaft with an inspection revealing an adjustable mechanism with the numbers 7 to 12, and thus allowing the golfer to adjust the actual loft of the clubface.

The Nike Dual Axis adjustment allows golfers to choose their loft and face angle independently of each other by decoupling loft from face angle. This all leads to better ball flight for more distance as well as enhanced workability. This technology gives golfers 15 different options

The club was designed by Tom Stites, Director of Product Innovation at Nike.

McIlroy’s believed to have already filmed a commercial for Nike with the new driver while it’s also understood the 23-year old has been photographed in Nike attire he’ll wear up to and including next August’s defence of his PGA Championship title.

And while Casey is looking to reap the benefits of a combined Tiger Woods/Rory McIlroy marketing push at Nike, the English golfer says McIlroy will have no concerns in switching manufacturers.

“I’ve been with Nike for about eight years and the funny thing I switched from Titleist to Nike (smiling),” said Casey.

“I changed to Nike in ’05 but then it didn’t take me any time to adapt and actually I won straightaway, so my transition for equipment was very smooth and I slotted in beautifully.

“But if I was to switch now there is companies I could slot into very easily, and you have got to remember that the Nike irons are made in the same foundry as about five other manufactures.

“That driver (Casey pointing at his Nike VRS Covert club) is made in the same titanium factory in Taiwan, or wherever it is, where they make drivers for five other manufacturers.

The new Nike Covert driver being used by six Nike staff players for a first time in this week’s Barclays Singapore Open.

“So it’s all very similar and while some may be better than others, the quality of the equipment is second to none.

“And I read what Nick Faldo said but it’s not an issue nowadays, as there is just so much testing that goes on and there also so much data about so there is the ability to manufacturer a club to a players individual specifications, and you could not do that decades ago.

“So, if we are talking about a particular person considering the switch to Nike then I can’t see the equipment being an issue.”

Once again, McIlroy attracted a huge following in his first Singapore showing in four years and despite only playing eight holes.

However there was at least one spectator more interested in McIlroy’s girlfriend, Caroline Wozinacki.

“Is that Wozinacki as I only came out here today to see her?” a spectator was overheard asking of an official.

McIlroy, who revealed he is struggling with a virus or cold, ended his first round near 11am on Friday with a one under par 70 to be trailing five shots behind Thailand’s Chapchai Nirat.