After one of the biggest signings in sport, Nike Golf president Cindy Davis said the giant sports attire and equipment manufacturer is not pannicking following Rory McIlroy’s embarrassing start to his 2013 season.

“It’s a process and we understand it’s the early days,” Davis speaking to the Golf Channel.

“He’s fully confident. It’s an issue of comfort, and I think in time it will all play out really well.”

Nike President, Cindy Davis introduces Rory McIlroy as a Nike staff player. (Photo – Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.ie)

McIlroy posted a pair of 75s to easily miss the cut in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and in his first competitive event since switching from Titleist, and the clubs that won him two Majors, to Nike.

But the current World No. 1 left Nike as crimson-faced as his driver when he abandoned his Nike Method putter for his tried and tested Scotty Cameron.

During his Nike unveiling earlier in last week and also after his second round, McIlroy was asked specifically if there was a clause in his new contract that would allow him to switch back to his old Scotty Cameron putter. He declined to comment on the contract specifics.

When asked the reaction to Nike’s extravagant introduction of McIlroy, Davis commented:  “Fantastic. What was fun for us was that we had the opportunity to introduce, on a bigger and more global stage, a young athlete who already has had a fairly extraordinary career. We took that moment very seriously and had a young man who has had a passion for our brand ever since he was a kid. It gave us an opportunity to showcase an athlete the way only Nike could.”