2017 Sponsor Changes

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Since today is officially the first day pros can start announcing their new sponsors, I thought we should have a threat for it.

 

Please refrain from posting rumors and only post confirmed/announced sponsorships.

 

 

This morning Jason Day officially announced he is now sponsored by Nike Golf for apparel.

[BigtazzGolf]

Cool idea

 

Tazz

[BIG STU]

I have not heard anything that is confirmed except for Jason Day wearing Nike apparel and Rory being a "equipment free agent".  I have not heard or seen anything confirmed with any of the Nike guys over clubs etc

[jaskanski]

I guess most of you know about the Rory McIlroy changes?

 

http://www.golfdigest.com/story/report-rory-mcilroy-switches-to-callaway-woods-and-irons-odyssey-putter-and-titleist-ball

[PMookie]

Curious to see who they've added!

 

 

 

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[bullldog]

On the LPGA side Cristina Kim is going to be playing PXGs

[PMookie]

Nike got Rick Shiels!

 

 

 

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[GolfSpy Barbajo]

And the Bubba rumors are confirmed...

 

 

 

By: Jeff Babineau | January 2, 2017 7:42 pm

KAPALUA, Hawaii – Well, it's official. Bubba Watson, the 10th-ranked player in the world, will play a Volvik golf ball in 2017.

Watson, 38, who counts two Masters titles among his nine PGA Tour victories, will play a Volvik model called the White Color S4, which he says is called “Blue Pearl,” and will wear the company's logo on his sleeve. Watson was wearing one of his new shirts at Kapalua on Monday, site of this week's SBS Tournament of Champions. He previously played a Titleist ProV1x.

Watson will become the biggest name to play the Volvik ball. Previously, Volvik was represented in the men's game by endorsers Craig Stadler on the PGA Tour Champions and Tim Petrovic on the PGA Tour.

Watson on Monday showed off the new ball, which appears white and has the words “White Color” in script across the ball. As he turned the ball in the radiant light, it showed tinges of blue color across the dimples.

“You know where I got the idea (to play a Volvik)?” asked Watson, who is here at Kapalua after winning last season's Northern Trust Open at Riviera. “Watching the (World) Long Drive on television.”

Watson perennially is among the longest hitters on Tour, ranking fourth in driving distance last season (310.6 yards). He has led the Tour in driving distance five times (the last in 2014) and has ranked second in distance four other times.

With Watson playing a Volvik ball, five companies now are represented among the top 10 players in the world. With Rory McIlroy expected to return to Titleist (Pro V1x) when he competes in South Africa this month, Titleist will have four of the top 10 (two playing Pro V1, two playing Pro V1x). Also represented are TaylorMade (two), Callaway (two), Srixon (one) and now Volvik.

 

[Mr_Theoo]

Nike got Rick Shiels!

IMG_1819.PNG

 

 

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I think that might be photoshopped

 

Nevermind, it just looks to be

[GolfSpy Barbajo]

And Lydia Ko goes to PXG....
 

 

 

By: David Dusek | January 3, 2017 6:00 am
 

Parsons Xtreme Golf announced Tuesday that it signed four prominent LPGA Tour players to endorsement deals, including world-No. 1 Lydia Ko of New Zealand.
 

“When I first hit PXG's clubs I was extremely impressed by how they felt,” Ko said in a news release. “They felt solid, and the performance was – wow!”
 

The other players are U.S. Open champion Brittany Lang, Christina Kim and Ryan O'Toole.
 

PXG is a 2-year-old brand started by Bob Parsons, the founder of Go Daddy, based in Scottsdale, Ariz. Ryan Moore was the first on the PGA Tour to start using PXG clubs in 2015, and last year several golfers signed endorsement deals with the company, including Zach Johnson, Billy Horschel, Charles Howell III and James Hahn. Cristie Kerr, Gerina Piller and Beatriz Recari are among the LPGA Tour players who signed with PXG in 2016.
 

“This year PXG is looking at golf and the tour from a global perspective,” Parsons said in the same release. “Tour validation is important, and the ladies tour is wildly popular in many countries. We had five exceptional ladies on staff in 2016, and this year that number has grown to nine. These players, as well as our top-notch PGA Tour pros, will help us bring PXG's unmatched technology to passionate golfers around the globe.”

 

 

[GolfSpy Barbajo]

PXG is also adding Brittany Lang, Christina Kim and Ryann O'Toole...seems to be an LPGA kinda year.

[sixcat]

Lydia Ko sure is making a lot of changes in a short period of time. Changing equipment, caddie and coach all at once seems like some behind-the-scenes issues may come to light down the road.  It's hard to take Leadbetter's account though.  He can be as egotistical and insecure as Haney and Foley.  But I do believe there is more to the story than just needing to change.  

 

The truth is most likely somewhere in the middle.

[Kenny B]

 

And the Bubba rumors are confirmed...

 

 

bubba-ball.jpg

 

By: Jeff Babineau | January 2, 2017 7:42 pm

KAPALUA, Hawaii – Well, it's official. Bubba Watson, the 10th-ranked player in the world, will play a Volvik golf ball in 2017.

Watson, 38, who counts two Masters titles among his nine PGA Tour victories, will play a Volvik model called the White Color S4, which he says is called “Blue Pearl,” and will wear the company's logo on his sleeve. Watson was wearing one of his new shirts at Kapalua on Monday, site of this week's SBS Tournament of Champions. He previously played a Titleist ProV1x.

Watson will become the biggest name to play the Volvik ball. Previously, Volvik was represented in the men's game by endorsers Craig Stadler on the PGA Tour Champions and Tim Petrovic on the PGA Tour.

Watson on Monday showed off the new ball, which appears white and has the words “White Color” in script across the ball. As he turned the ball in the radiant light, it showed tinges of blue color across the dimples.

“You know where I got the idea (to play a Volvik)?” asked Watson, who is here at Kapalua after winning last season's Northern Trust Open at Riviera. “Watching the (World) Long Drive on television.”

Watson perennially is among the longest hitters on Tour, ranking fourth in driving distance last season (310.6 yards). He has led the Tour in driving distance five times (the last in 2014) and has ranked second in distance four other times.

With Watson playing a Volvik ball, five companies now are represented among the top 10 players in the world. With Rory McIlroy expected to return to Titleist (Pro V1x) when he competes in South Africa this month, Titleist will have four of the top 10 (two playing Pro V1, two playing Pro V1x). Also represented are TaylorMade (two), Callaway (two), Srixon (one) and now Volvik.

 

So now I guess this means that MGS has to test Volvik against the PV1x.  

[sixcat]

So now I guess this means that MGS has to test Volvik against the PV1x.  

Possibly, but the real question is will the results cause the same level of butthurt on social media as the previous test?

[Kenny B]

Possibly, but the real question is will the results cause the same level of butthurt on social media as the previous test?

No, because it is a similarly priced tour ball.  I thought it would be interesting to see what, if any, advantages the Volvik S4 has over the ProV1x for Bubba.  Or is it just for the money (which is my guess)??

[drewneddy]

I like the idea of equipment free agents.

 

Gives me confidence in a product as a consumer that when someone has a mixed bag they are truly playing what the feel is top in the game at the moment.

 

 

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[Kenny B]

Lydia Ko sure is making a lot of changes in a short period of time. Changing equipment, caddie and coach all at once seems like some behind-the-scenes issues may come to light down the road.  It's hard to take Leadbetter's account though.  He can be as egotistical and insecure as Haney and Foley.  But I do believe there is more to the story than just needing to change.  

 

The truth is most likely somewhere in the middle.

I guess losing Lydia Ko was so traumatic that Ledbetter had to find a new gig.  He is now a fitting consultant with Club Champion!

[sixcat]

I guess losing Lydia Ko was so traumatic that Ledbetter had to find a new gig.  He is now a fitting consultant with Club Champion!

I couldn't tolerate the type of parenting Lydia Ko, Michelle Wie, Se Ri Pak and others have experienced.  From my perspective, the control of every aspect of life is no different than the overbearing "abuse" experienced by Hunter Mahan, Patrick Reed and Sean O'Hair.

 

I believe at some point, Ko will have to take control of her own life.  If she doesn't, it will almost certainly eat away at her and ultimately shorten her career as a result like it did with Se Ri Pak.

[Kenny B]

I couldn't tolerate the type of parenting Lydia Ko, Michelle Wie, Se Ri Pak and others have experienced.  From my perspective, the control of every aspect of life is no different than the overbearing "abuse" experienced by Hunter Mahan, Patrick Reed and Sean O'Hair.

 

I believe at some point, Ko will have to take control of her own life.  If she doesn't, it will almost certainly eat away at her and ultimately shorten her career as a result like it did with Se Ri Pak.

I couldn't agree more!  It seems to be more so for the ladies girls because they enter the pro ranks at a much earlier age than the guys do.  

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Callaway signs Daniel Berger

[BIG STU]

I like the idea of equipment free agents.

 

Gives me confidence in a product as a consumer that when someone has a mixed bag they are truly playing what the feel is top in the game at the moment.

 

 

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I actually said the same thing on a thread on WRX about Rory. Personally I have always played a mixed bag and I do not care what Pro X is playing

[Orange Hog]

Callaway signs Daniel Berger

 

Very 'meh' addition by Callaway IMO.  The kid has so much talent but he has really struggled to break out of his shell thus far.  Maybe that changes in 2017, though, as he had a good Fall.

[Joey East Coast]

Very 'meh' addition by Callaway IMO. 

 

Respectfully disagree. I will wager he posts better results in 17 than the likes of Fowler, JT, and possibly Day.

[Orange Hog]

Respectfully disagree. I will wager he posts better results in 17 than the likes of Fowler, JT, and possibly Day.

I hope so. Look, I like the kid. Just saying that he hasn't really stepped on to the big stage yet but he absolutely has all the weapons to do so. I hope it does happen in 2017.

 

 

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[Jmikecpa]

Tony Finau is playing Ping this year and Patrick Rogers also just signed with Callaway.

 

 

 

 

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[Jmikecpa]

Looks like Titleist added some names as well. Sean O'Hair has been a TM guy for close to 15 years so it is odd that he made a change. May say something about the direction of the TM staff.

 

 

 

 

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[MDGolfHacker]

Tony Finau is playing Ping this year and Patrick Rogers also just signed with Callaway.

 

IMG_2802.JPG

 

 

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Never pictured Finau playing pings. Hope it works out for him.

 

MDGolfHacker

[Golfspy_CG2]

Never pictured Finau playing pings. Hope it works out for him.

 

MDGolfHacker

I tend to agree, he seems like he would have been a good fit at with Cobra with his flair, or possibly Callaway. 

[Jmikecpa]

I tend to agree, he seems like he would have been a good fit at with Cobra with his flair, or possibly Callaway.

Look closely at the bag....still has a good bit of Callaway clubs in their. Looks like Ping for the Driver, fairway wood and irons. Callaway apex Ut and wedges.

 

 

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Finau was with Callaway in 2015