Essential Golf: A passion for the Game

Sergio Garcia Signs Deal with Callaway

Sergio Garcia signs deal with Callaway image courtesy mooinblack / Shutterstock.com
Sergio Garcia signs deal with Callaway image courtesy mooinblack / Shutterstock.com

Sergio Garcia has signed a deal to play with Callaway golf clubs in 2018 and beyond; the leading manufacturer confirmed the partnership with the reigning US Masters champion recently.

Garcia ended last year by parting ways with his long-term deal with TaylorMade, after he won his first major on the 74th attempt at the 2017 US Masters at Augusta in April.

Garcia has used TaylorMade clubs for the last 15 years, but the two sides announced a mutual agreement to split in a statement in October.

The agreement to join Callaway didn’t come as a surprise to many, given the fact Garcia played out the remainder of 2017 trialling a number of the company’s clubs. He was spotted using their equipment at the European Tour’s season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai in November. He also had Callaway wedges and an Odyssey Toulon putter (owned by Callaway) in his bag when he won the Valderrama Masters—hosted by his charitable foundation in October.

Callaway Golf confirmed the news in a statement in which it was revealed that Garcia will be using Callaway woods, irons, wedges, putters and balls from 2018 onwards. The specific clubs have not been revealed, but it is expected Garcia will using Callaway’s chrome soft ball.

“I’m really excited to switch to Callaway,” said Garcia. “After testing different brands I realised Callaway’s technology and innovation will help me maximise my game and perform to the best of my ability.”

“Sergio has been one of the world’s most talented and charismatic players for almost 20 years,” Chip Brewer, Callaway’s president and CEO, said in a statement. “It will be fun to see what he can do using Callaway equipment,” he added.

Sergio Garcia signs deal with Callaway

Terms of Garcia’s agreement with Callaway were not released, but it was confirmed that he would sport the company’s logo on either side of his cap during tournaments. The Spaniard will continue to wear Adidas clothing and shoes.

Garcia joins Phil Mickelson, Patrick Reed, Henrik Stenson and Jim Furyk as some of the Tour stars currently signed with Callaway.

Another new face in the Callaway stable of golfers will be Xander Schauffele—the 2017 TOUR Championship winner and last year’s PGA TOUR Rookie of the Year. The 2017 PLAYERS Championship winner Si Woo Kim has also joined Callaway.

Schauffele has followed Garcia in making the switch from TaylorMade to Callaway, despite enjoying a memorable first season on the PGA TOUR with TaylorMade. The American will continue his association with Adidas and, like Garcia, wear their clothing and shoes.

“I’m honored to be a part of the Callaway team,” Schauffele said in a statement announcing his deal with Callaway. “I’ve been so impressed with how Callaway clubs have performed for me, from the first time I started testing them during the offseason, and I’ve been using an Odyssey putter for years. So this really was a natural transition and I’m really confident in how their equipment will help improve every part of my game.”

See also: TaylorMade M3 and M4 Drivers, Woods and Irons Launched