Equipment
TaylorMade and Sergio Garcia part ways after 15 years… where to next?
When we recently spotted Sergio Garcia with a custom Odyssey Toulon putter, and then later using a Callaway Mack Daddy wedge in competition (pictured below), it seemed to be only a matter of time that TaylorMade and Garcia would soon part ways. That day has now come, as TaylorMade announced in a statement today that the Garcia-TaylorMade marriage has ended after 15 years.
“Today, after a memorable 15 year partnership with Sergio Garcia, we have mutually agreed on a release from the remaining years of his TaylorMade contract,” a TaylorMade spokesperson told us. “It has been an honor to play a role in his performance throughout his career, including The Players Championship, 19 worldwide wins, Ryder Cup heroics and his 2017 Masters win. We congratulate Sergio on a career year and wish him all the best for the future.”
Using a bag full of TaylorMade golf clubs, Garcia won the 2017 Masters to get himself off of the “best player without a major” list. As highlighted by TaylorMade’s statement, since 2003 when he joined TaylorMade from Titleist, Garcia also won The Players Championship, had 19 worldwide wins, and constantly tormented Team USA in the Ryder Cup on alternating years.
As his recent club testing decisions imply, the most likely candidate for Garcia’s next club sponsor would be Callaway, but the company has yet to comment on the matter. We’ll update this story as more information becomes available.
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Equipment
Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (4/18/24): Ping PLD Limited Anser – 1988 Open Championship – #2 of only 88 Made
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals that all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, there is a listing for a Ping PLD Limited Anser – 1988 Open Championship – #2 of only 88 Made.
From the seller: (@DLong72): “Ping PLD Limited Anser – 1988 Open Championship – #2 of only 88 Made. ?: $1150. ?? 100% milled collectors item from the limited releases commemorating when Ping putters won every major in 1988 (88 putters made). This was the model Seve Ballesteros used to win the 1988 Open Championship. Condition is brand new, never gamed, everything is in the original packaging as it came. Putter features the iconic sound slot.
Specs/ Additional Details
-100% Milled, Aluminum/Bronze Alloy (310g)
-Original Anser Design
-PING PP58 Grip
-Putter is built to standard specs.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: Ping PLD Limited Anser – 1988 Open Championship – #2 of only 88 Made
This is the most impressive current listing from the GolfWRX BST, and if you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum you can check them out here: GolfWRX BST Rules
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As you probably know by now, Collin Morikawa switched putters after the first round of The Masters, and he ultimately went on to finish T3.
The putter was far from the only change he made last week, however, and his bag is continuing to change this week at the 2024 RBC Heritage.
On the range of The Masters, Morikawa worked closely with Adrian Reitveld, TaylorMade’s Senior Manager of Tour at TaylorMade, to find the perfect driver and 3-wood setups.
Morikawa started off 2024 by switching into TaylorMade’s Qi10 Max driver, but since went back to his faithful TaylorMade SIM – yes, the original SIM from 2020. Somehow, some way, it seems Morikawa always ends up back in that driver, which he used to win the 2020 PGA Championship, and the 2021 Open Championship.
At The Masters, however, Rietveld said the duo found the driver head that allowed “zero compromise” on Morikawa’s preferred fade flight and spin. To match his preferences, they landed on a TaylorMade Qi10 LS 9-degree head, and the lie angle is a touch flatter than his former SIM.
“It’s faster than his gamer, and I think what we found is it fits his desired shot shape, with zero compromise” Rietveld told GolfWRX.com on Wednesday at the RBC Heritage.
Then, to replace his former SIM rocket 3-wood, Morikawa decided to switch into the TaylorMade Qi10 core model 13.5-degree rocket head, with an adjustable hosel.
“He likes the spin characteristics of that head,” Rietveld said. “Now he’s interesting because with Collin, you can turn up at a tournament, and you look at his 3-wood, and he’s changed the setting. One day there’s more loft on it, one day there’s less loft on it. He’s that type of guy. He’s not scared to use the adjustability of the club.
“And I think he felt our titanium head didn’t spin as low as his original SIM. So we did some work with the other head, just because he liked the feel of it. It was a little high launching, so we fit him into something with less loft. It’s a naughty little piece of equipment.”
In addition to the driver and fairway wood changes, Morikawa also debuted his new “MySymbol” jersey No. 5 TP5x golf ball at The Masters. Morikawa’s choice of symbols is likely tied to his love of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team.
Not enough changes for you? There’s one more.
On Wednesday at the 2024 RBC Heritage, Morikawa was spotted with a new TaylorMade “Proto” 4-iron in the bag. If you recall, it’s the same model that Rory McIlroy debuted at the 2024 Valero Texas Open.
According to Morikawa, the new Proto 4-iron will replace his old P-770 hollow-bodied 4-iron.
“I used to hit my P-770 on a string, but sometimes the distance would be a little unpredictable,” Morikawa told GolfWRX.com. “This one launches a touch higher, and I feel I can predict the distance better. I know Rory replaced his P-760 with it. I’m liking it so far.”
See Morikawa’s full WITB from the 2024 RBC Heritage here.
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Equipment
Why Rory McIlroy will likely use the new TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver Copper at the RBC Heritage
Although we spotted Rory McIlroy testing the new TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver Copper last week during practice rounds at the Masters, he ultimately didn’t decide to use the club in competition.
It seems that will change this week at the 2024 RBC Heritage, played at the short-and-tight Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head.
When asked on Wednesday following his morning Pro-Am if he’d be using the new, nostalgic BRNR Copper this week, McIlroy said, “I think so.”
“I like it,” McIlroy told GolfWRX.com on Tuesday regarding the BRNR. “This would be a good week for it.”
View this post on Instagram
According to Adrian Rietveld, the Senior Manager of Tour at TaylorMade, the BRNR Mini Driver can help McIlroy position himself properly off the tee at the tight layout.
Here’s what Rietveld told GolfWRX.com on Wednesday:
“For someone like Rory, who’s that long at the top end of the bag, and then you put him on a course like Harbour Town, it’s tough off the tee. It’s tight into the greens, and you have to put yourself in position off the tee to have a shot into the green. It kind of reminds me of Valderrama in Spain, where you can be in the fairway and have no shot into the green.
“I’m caddying for Tommy [Fleetwood] this week, so I was walking the course last night and looking at a few things. There’s just such a small margin for error. You can be standing in the fairway at 300 yards and have a shot, but at 320 you don’t. So if you don’t hit a perfect shot, you could be stuck behind a tree. And then if you’re back at 280, it might be a really tough shot into the small greens.
“So for Rory [with the BRNR], it’s a nice course-specific golf club for him. He’s got both shots with it; he can move it right-to-left or left-to-right. And the main thing about this club has been the accuracy and the dispersion with it. I mean, it’s been amazing for Tommy.
“This was the first event Tommy used a BRNR last year, and I remember talking to him about it, and he said he couldn’t wait to play it at Augusta next year. And he just never took it out of the bag because he’s so comfortable with it, and hitting it off the deck.
“So you look at Rory, and you want to have the tools working to your advantage out here, and the driver could hand-cuff him a bit with all of the shots you’d have to manufacture.”
So, although McIlroy might not be making a permanent switch into the new TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver Copper, he’s likely to switch into it this week.
His version is lofted at 13.5 degrees, and equipped with a Fujikura Ventus Black 7X shaft.
See more photos of Rory testing the BRNR Mini here
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LEWIS
Nov 3, 2017 at 10:10 am
Looks like its mizuno irons now guys
Forsbrand
Oct 11, 2017 at 2:11 pm
Is I because he has just been advised that Rory and tiger are major shareholders in Taylormade, part of eh private equity buyout?
Mister Tom
Oct 11, 2017 at 10:13 am
Contrary to a lot of people here, my opinion is this isn’t a decision that Garcia made. This isn’t his decision. This is a young man’s game and the needle is being pushed due to all the “2011” high-school graduates. Adidas, Taylormade, Nike, etc, are looking to use their sponsorship dollars with player brands that grow the game and grow their revenue, and Garcia isn’t growing a brand’s awareness despite having the Masters under his belt. People aren’t buying Adidas shoes or Taylormade clubs because Sergio sports their logo, they are because Dustin Johnson carries the gear.
Sponsorship for a young man is an island paradise and an old man’s graveyard. For example, Phil isn’t moving the needle much, and I would imagine Callaway has or is renegotiating his contract terms. I mean, how can Callaway afford to continue to pay Mickelson $35MM/yr, and why would they? He cannot hit a fairway, so why would that help Callaway’s driver sales?
All this talk about Tiger and his new “irons” and his swing? Seriously? The game has moved on and has embraced the young guns.
Thomas A
Oct 11, 2017 at 11:35 am
Callaway just signed Phil to a career contract. Sergio definitely moves the needle internationally.
smitty
Oct 11, 2017 at 1:16 am
TM dumped Sergio to make way for Tiger’s comeback…. and they are betting a big bagful of $$$$$ on the Resurrection of The Tigerman.
Shane
Oct 10, 2017 at 11:36 pm
Sergio Garcia had a lot of talent but has under performed over the years and it was not due to equipment. In light of his Masters win Garcia probably wanted more money and TM said no because from a marketing perspective they don’t need him as they have new blood like John Rahm to capture the Spanish market.
Anders
Oct 12, 2017 at 7:23 am
This.
alvin
Oct 10, 2017 at 10:24 pm
Sergio Sergio, I bought TM clubs because of you!!
I love you Sergio but what should I do with my new TM clubs now that you are leaving TM?
I’m verklempt ….. oooh Sergio
UnclePhil
Oct 10, 2017 at 10:09 pm
I just read that Target is making a strong run at him with his own custom line of Northwesterns!
Reno
Oct 10, 2017 at 11:07 am
Who cares.
golfraven
Oct 10, 2017 at 8:20 am
I think he also lost it after recent putter incident. Please give him a ‘decent’ putter for heaven’s sake!
Boyo
Oct 11, 2017 at 7:39 am
It’s not the arrow it’s the Indian.
Head case. What a waste of talent.
ibo
Nov 8, 2017 at 2:02 am
$46M throughout his career. 20 international victories including a The Players and The Masters. Truly a waste of talent.
golfraven
Oct 10, 2017 at 8:17 am
I guess Sergio can’t hit it as far as the driver promises (he should hit it longer than Rory after what TM claimed in recent years) so he is taking off the hat and quits it – simples. I can’t blame him, who wants to have the shortest in the bunch?
Jacked_Loft
Oct 10, 2017 at 4:21 am
More than likely it’s because that Sergio originally signed with Adidas, and the TM contract was part of the total deal. Now that Adidas and TM have parted, TM would probably have to pay more for SG than before, and that would be just too much all factors considered.
Robert Parsons
Oct 9, 2017 at 5:44 pm
He’s in talks to go under contract as I type.
Nobody signs players like we do. Period.
rymail00
Oct 9, 2017 at 7:11 pm
HAHA
Robert Parsons
Oct 9, 2017 at 5:43 pm
How soon till your post is removed?
Nobody deletes posts like we do. Period.
Jack Nash
Oct 9, 2017 at 4:37 pm
Only a matter of time before he stepped away from the garbage. He got them their Major, now he smartens up.
Steven
Oct 10, 2017 at 11:07 pm
That garbage is the best driver and 5 wood I’ve hit in my life. It’s kind of stupid to call the best drivers on the PGA Tour garbage.
And the Champions Tour Players who don’t get paid to play a driver? Most are using M2. They seem to like the garbage a lot.
Boyo
Oct 11, 2017 at 7:40 am
You mean the driver that they are paying the most to the players to use. These guys could use anything.
M. Vegas
Oct 9, 2017 at 3:41 pm
Where’s the acid faces that want Sergio with Mizuno
Brian
Oct 10, 2017 at 9:44 am
You mean “where’re”, right? “Where is the acid faces…” Does that sound right to you?
M. Vegas
Oct 10, 2017 at 2:17 pm
No, I like where’s…
I feel like that’s how I would say it if I was talking
DT
Oct 10, 2017 at 3:32 pm
Since “acid faces” is plural, “where are” is grammatically correct.
Steve Hamer
Oct 9, 2017 at 3:14 pm
there club are made for them not we get in the stores no mater what name is on them
M. Vegas
Oct 10, 2017 at 7:11 pm
Almost coherent Gump
Garry Pierce
Oct 9, 2017 at 2:54 pm
I lost respect for him when hawked a luger in the cup, he is a.
LOSER
Sergio
Oct 9, 2017 at 3:20 pm
you are the loser. he won a lot of tournament, how about you?
JThunder
Oct 9, 2017 at 4:00 pm
He sold a gun during the Ryder Cup?
Boyo
Oct 11, 2017 at 7:44 am
I call him spit boy. If he’d have done that in my group I’d have kicked his a$$.
Bob Parsons
Oct 9, 2017 at 1:28 pm
I’d like to welcome Sergio Garcia to the PXG family.
Darren Rovell
Oct 9, 2017 at 2:09 pm
Sources Close to ESPN: Sergio to PXG on a 15 year deal worth up to $690 million.
Garry Pierce
Oct 9, 2017 at 2:59 pm
I can’t believe that Parson’s going to pay that kind of money. I don’t see his irons at the courses where the guys that have the cash to buy them. Las Vegas – Palm Springs – LA area or in Phoenix. Where they selling?
Boss
Oct 9, 2017 at 3:27 pm
Alaska and Siberia, I hear they’re really good for ice fishing
henry
Oct 9, 2017 at 5:21 pm
my god Bob shut up
MB
Oct 9, 2017 at 10:03 pm
It’s Boss not Bob
moses
Oct 9, 2017 at 3:04 pm
.690 million. Fixed it for ya. 🙂
William Boulton
Oct 10, 2017 at 10:39 am
Congrats
Great player
I’d like to try your clubs anytime soon
WestPhi
Oct 9, 2017 at 12:59 pm
I wonder if PXG will take a stab at him…?
henry
Oct 9, 2017 at 9:24 pm
Parsons claims “to PXG” when any player becomes available. I mean for gods sake they just signed Paige Spirinac, whose only job in golf is to look pretty.
Boyo
Oct 11, 2017 at 7:45 am
Wooooohoooooo!!!!
DaJudge
Oct 9, 2017 at 12:51 pm
Sergio is abandoning TM because he doesn’t want to be associated with a company that sells Fake-Forged P-790 cast steel body clubs. It’s simply unethical and devious and Sergio is a man of principles.
Joe Mcgillicuti
Oct 9, 2017 at 12:10 pm
Wake up and get in touch with reality guys. He’s already overpaid and now that he won the Masters, his price tag has gone up per his agent. He’s on the back 9 people. And now that he is married, that old work ethic will be a tad bit harder to execute. TaylorMade got his best years out of him. Callaway usually overpays guys like this after he’s been squeezed of all the juice. Once the kid comes, priorities will REALLY change
ND Hickman
Oct 9, 2017 at 1:35 pm
Let’s be frank. Does it really matter to us which club he plays? All credit to him. We wish him well.
Boss
Oct 9, 2017 at 3:27 pm
Hello Frank
ND Hickman
Oct 11, 2017 at 7:47 am
All credit to Frank.
Boyo
Oct 11, 2017 at 7:46 am
Spit boy can clean the spittoons.
Boss
Oct 9, 2017 at 12:08 pm
Aaaaaah I see. It’s just more money that Callaway are willing to pay, for a guy who just won a major, who has that power of negotiation that TM wasn’t willing to give that extra bit more in renegotiation. Such a shame. The agents have so much power.
Matt
Oct 9, 2017 at 12:09 pm
This is a TM decision. They’re letting almost all their players go.
Slob
Oct 9, 2017 at 1:11 pm
And……. you’re an idiot.
JThunder
Oct 9, 2017 at 4:03 pm
What’s “such a shame” about any of this? It’s two multi-million dollar companies fighting over a millionaire wearing their hat. Want some better examples of shameful behavior by millionaires? I bet I could find a few.
Slob
Oct 9, 2017 at 5:08 pm
Sarcasm, you fool
Jack Matthews
Oct 9, 2017 at 12:03 pm
Interesting. I wonder if he does go to Callaway. It seems like their new driver (GBB Epic) is becoming very popular on tour. Also, I wonder if “playing what the pros play” is as important as it was a decade ago. It’s clear the OEMs are fighting it out for market share now that the club business is in somewhat of a decline. I guess having big name endorsers is still one way to compete.
Boyo
Oct 11, 2017 at 7:47 am
These guys are all Brand ho’s.
TBone
Oct 9, 2017 at 12:01 pm
Wish he’d go back and to titleist. The 818 line is so pure.
rymail00
Oct 9, 2017 at 7:20 pm
That’d be cool. But Titleist seems to get them early and then they go to OEM’s who offer more.
Tom54
Oct 9, 2017 at 11:53 am
I see nothing wrong with Sergio switching golf equipment. Let’s face it to all us avid golf nuts can you honestly say you’ve stayed with one brand for 15 years. That’s half the fun trying the newest items out on the market regardless of who makes them. Other than being paid why should they be any different.
Matt
Oct 9, 2017 at 11:53 am
TM rumored to be going to a four (star) player sponsorship system. DJ, Rory, Rahm and JDay. Not sure what will happen to Rose, Woods etc, but Rosey likely to be the next to jump ship. They just need to spread the announcements out so it doesn’t look as bad.
AceVenturi
Oct 9, 2017 at 11:50 am
He is going to Callaway, 100%.
This will hurt TaylorMade as not only they’ve seen a major drop in sales and marketshare in every major region due to the Epic story, but also gets corroborated by one of their major Icons changing bag mid-contract. Sergio has been in TMs advertising each year for the last 15.
Boyo
Oct 11, 2017 at 7:49 am
Who cares about a company that brings out “THE NEXT TECHNOLOGICAL BREAKTHROUGH” every 6 months?
Duncan Marc
Oct 9, 2017 at 11:24 am
Maybe he got tired of being asked to switch clubs every 6 weeks….
Shane
Oct 9, 2017 at 2:28 pm
Exactly. MAYBE he asked for more, or it was just time for a change. Funny how everyone seems quick to call the guy out! Always liked the guy and wish him the best, wherever he winds up!
cgasucks
Oct 9, 2017 at 2:58 pm
Yeah…no matter which OEM he winds up with he’ll be fine career wise…
Boyo
Oct 11, 2017 at 7:49 am
You’d play with a guy that spits in the cup?
Richard Tickle
Oct 9, 2017 at 11:21 am
i bet he go pxg they make best clubsin all of golf. BOOMBABBY!
PAUL
Oct 9, 2017 at 11:46 am
YOURE ALL WRONG! i HAVE HEARD fROM rEPUTABLE SOURCE HES GOING TO wILSON sTAFF!
Mike
Oct 27, 2017 at 1:40 pm
Paul that wouldn’t surprise me one bit, Wilson make good irons, but he might just try Srixon ??? progressive iron makers
ILoveHateGolf
Oct 9, 2017 at 12:21 pm
I’ll bet he doesn’t. Regardless, at least a little effort on the grammar would be appreciated, Richard. Jesus….
Richard Trickle
Oct 9, 2017 at 12:47 pm
lEAVE jESUS OUT OF THIS. yOU BEET hE doeSNT GO pXG hUH? rEAL SMART GUYYV YOU arE!
cgasucks
Oct 10, 2017 at 10:47 am
Fentanyl is a very bad drug..please get help. Besides Wilson can’t afford Garcia…PXG…possibly..
cgasucks
Oct 9, 2017 at 11:14 am
If Garcia switched when his TM contract expired it makes a lot of sense and no one will bat an eye. But in this case Garcia got out in mid-contract which will leave a lot of questions on the table…just like Mickelson when he left Titleist for Callaway in mid-contract.