Nike announced today that it has signed the former No. 1-ranked amateur golfer in the world, Chris Williams, to its Nike Golf staff

Williams is making his professional debut this week at the Travelers Championship in Cromwell, Conn., the same tournament where former No. 1-ranked amateur Patrick Cantlay shot a 10-under 60 in Round 2 in route to a top 25 finish as an amateur in 2011.

So how did Williams get here?

When you think of the state of Idaho, golf isn’t necessarily top of mind. But that’s where Chris Williams got his start. Fast forward a few years and Williams, 21, found himself on the University of Washington’s golf team, where he was named the PAC 10 and NCAA freshman of the year in 2010. He was also named All-American three times.

This year, as the top-ranked amateur in the world, he received an exemption to play in the U.S. Open (Williams missed the cut after shooting a 75 and 74). But now as he gets ready to turn pro, he will join the Nike Golf staff that includes players like Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. He’ll also join forces with the agent of Woods and Cantlay, Mark Steinberg, with whom he has signed a management contract.

Tiger Woods has long been the face of Nike Golf, but it is becoming obvious that Nike wants to make the transition from the a sports company involved in the golf industry to a leading golf company whose parent company just happens to have revenues of more than $24 billion per year.

Williams is using a Nike VR_S Covert Tour driver and Nike VR Pro Combo irons. Click here to see photos of all the clubs in Williams’ bag this week at the Travelers Championship.