Garcia, who signed with Callaway in '18, had used the brand's woods, irons, wedges and ballGETTY IMAGES
GOLF DIGEST's Joel Beall reported Sergio Garcia "has split" with Callaway after signing with the company in '18. Garcia the past two years had played Callaway woods, irons and wedges, while using the brand's balls and Odyssey putter. Ping confirmed that Garcia has "reached out to the company for equipment help," beginning with this week's European Tour event in Abu Dhabi, though there is "no Ping deal in place." Prior to signing with Callaway, Garcia was with TaylorMade for 15 years (GOLFDIGEST.com, 1/14). Meanwhile, Callaway came to terms on a "multi-year deal" with Matt Wallace, who had been playing Ping equipment (GOLF.com, 1/15).
PRODUCT PLACEMENT: In N.Y., Paul Sullivan notes caddies on the European Tour this season will be paid through a caddie association "to have a logo on items associated with their trade, like a hat, bag strap, towel [and] even yardage books." The agreement is "meant to help all caddies, particularly those carrying bags for lesser-known players." The caddies' association reps around 130 caddies and "worked with the European Tour to create guidelines for sponsorships." The idea is to "give caddies, who work as independent contractors for their players, not for the tour itself, an additional source of income." Early sponsors for the initiative include sunglasses brand Maui Jim and phone service Sport Mobile (N.Y. TIMES, 1/15).
NOTES: Golfer Billy Horschel has been named an endorser for global expansions solutions provider Velocity Global, and he will wear the company's logo on his clothing while playing. This marks Velocity Global's first sports sponsorship (Velocity Global)....Mitsubishi Electric announced five-year partnership extensions with the PGA Tour Champions' season-opening Mitsubishi Electric Championship this week in Hawaii and the Georgia-based Mitsubishi Electric Classic in April. The deal also includes an official marketing partner designation with the PGA Tour (THE DAILY).
