Tommy Fleetwood signed a multiyear deal with TaylorMade, and GOLF.com's Jonathan Wall noted one of the "most coveted equipment free agents" on the market was "all but guaranteed to be a member of TaylorMade’s Tour staff after he made an appearance in the yearly Christmas card." The formal announcement of Fleetwood's signing comes on the heels of two "notable changes" at TaylorMade: Jon Rahm departing for Callaway and Jason Day going "brand agnostic" (GOLF.com, 1/20). Sky Sports' Tim Barter said Fleetwood had “four or five different manufacturers and (was) quite enjoying the fact that he’s doing that." Barter: "Now he’s decided to dedicate himself to one manufacturer and obviously using all of their equipment” (“Golf Today,” Golf Channel, 1/20). Fleetwood also recently became a TAG Heuer endorser.
WORKING TOGETHER: Justin Thomas indicated that he has "been in contact with his other sponsors" following being dropped by Ralph Lauren for saying a homophobic comment. Thomas said, "They understand this is an opportunity for me to educate myself, grow, become a better person. ... They are going to kind of help me along that process" (GOLFCHANNEL.com, 1/20). ESPN’s Israel Gutierrez said Ralph Lauren dropping its sponsorship is “not an indictment of Justin Thomas as some blatant homophobe," as there is not "enough evidence of that.” However, it was “not too early for Ralph Lauren to drop him because they don’t have to pay him while he goes over and addresses these shortcomings" (“Around The Horn,” ESPN, 1/19).
LPGA NOTES: Brooke Henderson "re-signed an equipment contract with Ping." Terms of the deal were not revealed. Henderson is the No. 6 female player in the world in the Rolex Rankings (GOLFWEEK.com, 1/20)....Handbag and accessory brand Lug signed a sponsorship deal with Madelene Sagstrom, who will debut wearing the Lug logo today at the LPGA Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Lug).
