Maverick McNealy has "lined up his first sponsorships as a pro, signing an equipment deal with Callaway Golf and an apparel contract with Under Armour," according to Erik Matuszewski of FORBES. The deals come ahead of the 21-year-old's pro debut this week at the PGA Tour Safeway Open. McNealy has also "inked partnerships with KPMG" and Arizona-based developer and operator of private residential communities Discovery Land. McNealy, "working with Peter Webb of P3Sports Reps, is the latest young gun to sign with Callaway, joining a roster that includes Daniel Berger, Kevin Kisner, Emiliano Grillo, Adam Hadwin, Ollie Schneiderjans, Curtis Luck and Patrick Rodgers." While at Stanford, McNealy "was the world’s No. 1 ranked amateur," as well as the college player of the year in '15 (FORBES.com, 10/3). GOLFWEEK's Brentley Romine noted other notable Callaway staffers include Phil Mickelson, Patrick Reed, Henrik Stenson and Michelle Wie. Notables who wear Under Armour apparel include Jordan Spieth, Matthew Fitzpatrick and Alison Lee. Mickelson, Stacy Lewis and former Stanford women’s golfer Mariah Stackhouse are "among those signed with KPMG" (GOLFWEEK.com, 10/3).
BACK NINE: Bridgestone Golf President & CEO Angel Ilagan said that Tiger Woods is "more valuable as an endorser than he is as a player." CNBC.com's Catherine Campo noted Bridgestone in December signed Woods to a multiyear deal to exclusively play its balls, though he has not made a cut in an official PGA Tour event "since the deal." Still, Bridgestone "saw record growth for the first half" of '17. Ilagan said, "With Tiger on board, it's bringing a lot of consumers back to the game and excitement to the game and to Bridgestone." Ilagan's "suggested that as long as Woods is around, the golf industry is safe" (CNBC.com, 10/1).
