The 2018 Open champion Francesco Molinari has made the switch to Callaway after signing a deal with the leading manufacturer.
Just like Justin Rose, who swapped TaylorMade for Honma in 2019 after reaching the world number one ranking spot, Molinari has followed his own impressive season by changing his equipment provider.
Molinari was a free-agent and not tied to one manufacturer last year when he enjoyed his best-ever season on tour, winning not only the Open at Carnoustie but also collecting the BMW Championship at Wentworth and the Quicken Loans National at TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm.
And the Italian capped a dream 2018 by helping the European team to victory in the Ryder Cup at Le Golf National in Paris, with Molinari contributing a perfect 5-0 record across the three days.
But that has not stopped him from switching clubs and joining the Callaway stable for 2019 as he looks to cement his place in the world top 10.
“I am joining Callaway because I’m so impressed by their equipment,” said Molinari when the news of his Callaway deal was revealed. “More than anything, I’m looking forward to playing the new Epic Flash Driver and the Chrome Soft X Golf Ball.
“The ball speed gains that I’m getting from the driver are unbelievable. And this golf ball is the best one that I’ve ever played. The performance from tee-to-green, especially the feel and control, is exactly what I want.”
Molinari made it a perfect start to his official relationship with Callaway, as he won the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill this weekend.
The Italian’s final round eight-under par 64 was enough to send him to the top of the leaderboard for a two-shot victory over Matthew Fitzpatrick, who could only go one-under in the final round.
So what has Molinari got in the bag since his switch to Callaway and ditch the TaylorMade woods and irons that had served him so well during his best season in 2018?
The new Callaway Epic Flash driver is his choice of big stick, and Molinari has also got the Callaway Epic Flash Fairway woods to accompany it. The Callaway Apex hybrid completes his woods.
The new Callaway Apex irons are his choice, with three Callaway Mack Daddy 4 of varying degrees the option for his short game. On the greens, Molinari is using an Odyssey Toulon Madison Stroke Lab putter.
Switching from the world leading Titleist Pro V1 ball to the Callaway Chrome Soft X was one of the worries from Molinari, but his perfect finish at Bay Hill to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational will cast some of those doubts aside.
“We’re proud to welcome Francesco as our newest Callaway Staff Professional,” said Tim Reed, Callaway’s Senior VP of Global Sports marketing. “We’re confident that he will play at an even higher level and enjoy many more great wins with Callaway equipment.
“He’s added ball speed off the driver with Flash Face Technology, and his performance on approach shots and around the greens has been spectacular with his new Callaway irons, wedges and our Chrome Soft Ball.”
See also: PGA Tour Rookie of the Year to Get Arnold Palmer Award