Tour News
That didn’t take long: Lydia Ko signs with Callaway
According to a variety of outlets, including Simon Plumb, New Zealand sport journalist of the year, Lydia Ko has signed an endorsement deal with Callaway Golf.
Callaway has yet to make an official announcement, reports indicate that a 2014-season staff bag bearing Ko’s name has been spotted.
A deal with Callaway was rumored after the 16-year-old visited the Carlsbad, Calif., company in November, meeting her idol Phil Mickelson in the process.
Here’s the equipment Lydia Ko was playing in late August, as you can see, none of the then-amateur’s sticks bore the Callaway logo.
Earlier this month, however, the Callaway X2 Hot driver was spotted in the New Zealander’s bag, as was a Callaway putter, and what appeared to be Callaway Mack Daddy wedge when teen prodigy won the Swinging Skirts World Ladies Masters, an official event so-sanctioned by the Taiwan LPGA and Korea Ladies Professional Golf Tour.
Indeed, we spotted this Callaway Mack Daddy 2 wedge in Ko’s bag late last month.
All these things taken together make it pretty likely the 16-year-old is joining Morgan Pressel, Momoko Ueda, Sandra Gal, and Karen Stupples in an increasingly impressive group of LPGA Tour Callaway staffers.
This video posted by Golf Australia on YouTube December 18th shows the golfer with both Callaway hat and gear.
[youtube id=”DFqjwFKVJsI” width=”620″ height=”360″]
Of course the Callway deal isn’t the only recent agreement for Ko, who turned pro in November: she secured a three-year sponsorship deal with the Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited, an Australian bank.
Assuming Lydia Ko is indeed on the Callaway roster, she follows in the footsteps of another young New Zealander, Danny Lee, who signed a reported multi-million dollar deal with Callaway in 2009 after joining the IMG stable. Lydia Ko, too, signed with IMG last week.
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News
Photos from the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
GolfWRX is live this week at the Wells Fargo Championship as a field of the world’s best golfers descend upon Charlotte, North Carolina, hoping to tame the beast that is Quail Hollow Club in this Signature Event — only Scottie Scheffler, who is home awaiting the birth of his first child, is absent.
From the grounds at Quail Hollow, we have our usual assortment of general galleries and WITBs — including a look at left-hander Akshay Bhatia’s setup. Among the pullout albums, we have a look inside Cobra’s impressive new tour truck for you to check out. Also featured is a special look at Quail Hollow king, Rory McIlroy.
Be sure to check back throughout the week as we add more galleries.
General Albums
- 2024 Wells Fargo Championship – Monday #1
- 2024 Wells Fargo Championship – Tuesday #1
- 2024 Wells Fargo Championship – Tuesday #2
WITB Albums
- Akshay Bhatia – WITB – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Matthieu Pavon – WITB – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Keegan Bradley – WITB – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Webb Simpson – WITB – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Emiliano Grillo – WITB – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Taylor Pendrith – WITB – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Kevin Tway – WITB – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
Pullout Albums
- New Cobra equipment truck – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Rory McIlroy – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- New Cobra equipment truck – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Eric Cole’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Custom Cameron putter – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Matt Kuchar’s custom Bettinardi – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Justin Thomas – driver change – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Rickie Fowler – putter change – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Rickie Fowler’s new custom Odyssey Jailbird 380 putter – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Tommy Fleetwood testing a TaylorMade Spider Tour X (with custom neck) – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Cobra Darkspeed Volition driver – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
See what GolfWRXers are saying about our Wells Fargo Championship photos in the forums.
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
GolfWRX is on site this week in McKinney, Texas, at the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson (FKA the AT&T Byron Nelson).
Last year at TPC Craig Ranch, Jason Day ended a five-year winless streak. J-Day is in the field again, as are Jordan Spieth, Tom Kim, and Will Zalatoris.
We have our usual assortment of general galleries, WITBs, and pullout albums for your perusal. As always, we’ll continue to add links to additional albums as they make their way to us from the Lone Star State.
Check out links to all our photos below.
General Albums
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Monday #1
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Monday #2
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Tuesday #1
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Tuesday #2
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Tuesday #3
WITB Albums
- Pierceson Coody – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Kris Kim – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- David Nyfjall – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Adrien Dumont de Chassart – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Jarred Jetter – North Texas PGA Section Champ – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Richy Werenski – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Wesley Bryan – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Parker Coody – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Peter Kuest – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Blaine Hale, Jr. – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Kelly Kraft – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Rico Hoey – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Pullout Albums
- Adam Scott’s 2 new custom L.A.B. Golf putters – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Scotty Cameron putters – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Ben Griffin playing Maxfli golf ball
See what GolfWRXers are saying in the forums.
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 Zurich Classic of New Orleans
GolfWRX is live on site this week at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans for the PGA Tour’s one-and-only two-man team event.
As usual, general galleries, WITBs, and pullout albums — including some pretty spicy custom putters and headcovers — await your viewing.
Be sure to check back for more photos from the Big Easy, as we’ll continue to update this page with additional galleries throughout the week.
General Albums
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Monday #1
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Monday #2
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Tuesday #1
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Tuesday #2
WITB Albums
- Alex Fitzpatrick – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Austin Cook – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Alejandro Tosti – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Davis Riley – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- MJ Daffue – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Nate Lashley – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- James Nicholas – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Kevin Streelman – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Rasmus Hojgaard – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Tom Whitney – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- SangMoon Bae – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Daniel Berger – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Rory McIlroy – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Russ Cochrane – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Aldrich Potgieter – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Steve Stricker WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Drew Brees WITB (Legendary New Orleans Saints QB) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Derek Carr (New Orleans Saints QB) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Thriston Lawrence WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
Pullout Albums
- MJ Daffue’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Cameron putters – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Swag covers ( a few custom for Nick Hardy) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Custom Bettinardi covers for Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Doug Ghim’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Patrick Cantlay spotted testing a Scotty Cameron blade putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
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joro
Mar 12, 2018 at 12:24 pm
So if she signed with Callaway, why is she carrying, playing with, and wearing a PXG Hat and Bag.
Fyearoldgolfer
Jan 19, 2018 at 7:51 pm
Why is this ‘old’ story coming up? She signed with PGX before last season. Has there been any WITB sightings this year?
jc
Dec 23, 2013 at 1:16 pm
since steve williams hates it, it must be a good move.
jc
Dec 23, 2013 at 1:15 pm
she would have signed with taylor made but since they come out with a new driver every 4 days, she couldn’t keep up.
Martin
Dec 23, 2013 at 7:19 am
Story today in Golf.com that she dumped her coach.
Hope she doesn’t start rebuilding her swing so she can win majors.
Brian
Dec 22, 2013 at 9:42 pm
I still wish she would have waited a bit longer before signing with a major label. I mean she just turned pro and has already had amazing success, I don’t really see why she signed within a month of turning pro.
I mean for many young players it gives them the financial backing they need to enter tourneys and deal with the expenses on tour. However with how well she is playing as well as her multiple wins she shouldn’t have much pressure to sign with anyone. Not that I am saying signing is bad, I just think given her position and likely having any company begging to sign her at any point I think she should have given it more time. However I think she definitely deserves it and I look forward to watching her have wild success in 2014
Martin
Dec 22, 2013 at 12:29 pm
Good signing by Callaway.
Troy Vayanos
Dec 22, 2013 at 1:17 am
I think it’s a good move by Callaway because Lydia is a future star. At such a young age and enormous potential the sky is the limit for her.
I don’t know how long the contract is for but I bet it’s a long one!
Rich
Dec 22, 2013 at 6:13 pm
Future Star? Already a star. Good for you Lydia. You deserve all the rewards.
doe
Dec 21, 2013 at 9:28 pm
Callaway making more brilliant moves. No more Ernie, bring on the 15-16 year old Asian junior females. That’ll sell clubs at the retail level.
c'mon Ben!
Dec 21, 2013 at 9:07 pm
At this point especially by WRX standards this is old news… You’re usually better than this Ben!
Joe
Dec 21, 2013 at 7:32 pm
Ms Ko seems to be a classy young lady and will fit in with the other players at Callaway. The last couple years, Callaway has really stepped up, having to compete with much larger companies. This is a huge signing that will only furtherenhance their image.
steve
Dec 22, 2013 at 7:17 pm
Unfortunately classy isn’t the word id use for Lydia. I met her at the ladies British open in st Andrews this year. She came across as being particularly bad mannered and downright spoiled. It was really disappointing.
Good move for Callaway though nonetheless.
Don
Feb 17, 2014 at 1:28 am
Wouldn’t pose for a photo with ya, huh?