Els Making Switch To Callaway; Furyk Endorsements Examined

Els Playing All Callaway Clubs

While Ernie Els’ contract with Callaway called for him to have 14 of the company’s clubs in his bag within a year, “it took Els one week [after his Callaway deal was signed] before his specifications felt dead on to put all 14 in his bag,” according to Steve DiMeglio of USA TODAY. Els previously played with TaylorMade, Lynx and Ping clubs. He is now playing Callaway’s new X-Forged cavity back irons, FT-5 drivers and X-Vintage wedges, and “equally important to Els was the Callaway ball” (USA TODAY, 4/5).

BE A SQUARE: Phil Mickelson, who used two drivers when he won The Masters last year, is using two drivers again this year, including Callaway’s square-shaped FT-I. Mickelson: “It was designed for Augusta. We’ve been working six month on this club for this tournament” (USA TODAY, 4/5).

FURYK: Goal Marketing agent Andrew Witleb indicated that his client Jim Furyk this season is expected to earn $10-11M in off-course income. GOLFWEEK’s Scott Hamilton notes Furyk’s “biggest deal” is with equipment maker Srixon, which is paying him an estimated $25M over five years. Furyk also has a five year, $6M deal with Exelon; a three year, $1.5M deal with Marquis Jet; a three year, $2M deal with Johnny Walker Collection; a three year, $75,000 deal with Ahead Hats; and a three year, $1.5M-plus deal with Chiliwear Apparel, which makes the Jim Furyk collection. Aleve, Golf Magazine and Electronic Arts “don’t have logo space with Furyk but have rights to use his ‘likeness’ in advertising.” Also, Furyk’s adidas contract for shoes is for three years and $90,000 (GOLFWEEK, 4/7 issue).