Tour News
Top equipment free agents heading into 2021
Although golf doesn’t have professional teams outside of the Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup competitions, we still have our own version of draft day, signing day, and free agency as players move not from teams but from equipment companies. These changes not only bring with them a gluttony of testing, switching, and conversation around performance but also a close examination of a player’s game pre-, and post-switch.
Heading into 2021, the list of unsigned and rumored to be signed players has never been bigger.
These are top free agents heading into the new year.
Jason Day & Jon Rahm
Jason and Jon were noticeably absent from this year’s TaylorMade Christmas card, while the newest staff player Tommy Fleetwood was included right next to Rory and Tiger. As we covered for PGATour.com, both Day and Rahm have been TaylorMade staff players for their entire careers with Jason’s tenure going back to 2006.
It has been rumored that Rahm has been spotted extensively testing Callaway equipment, and considering his ties to Phil Mickelson—Phil’s brother was Jon’s first professional agent—this is the most likely scenario. As for Jason, considering his career earnings and inconsistent health in recent years, it is most likely he will do what a lot of players have done recently and become an equipment free agent and have some sort of golf bag and hat deal outside of the equipment world.
Justin Rose
Justin Rose has had an interesting couple of years when it comes to his equipment. He switched to Honma going into 2019 and won right out of the gate. He then struggled with swing issues, and in early 2020, he and Honma split and Rose was an unrestricted free agent filling his bag with whatever he felt suited him best (Justin Rose 2020 WITB).
With his valuable portfolio of sponsors outside of the equipment world, the likelihood he will sign a full club deal with another equipment manufacturer is unlikely, but it doesn’t make it impossible, which is why it will be something to watch in 2021.
The “unlikely to sign” list
Brooks Koepka – Brooks has made it well known that his time is his time and considering the fact that even now, after four major wins, he has yet to sign an equipment contract puts to rest the possibility he will ever be tied down to a single OEM for clubs.
Paul Casey – Much like Brooks, Paul Casey has had the luxury of using whatever clubs he sees fit since Nike left the hard goods space, and with his global playing schedule and name recognition, you would think by this point he would have signed a deal. But when you have a good thing going, why change, and I think that’s the approach Paul is sticking with.
Ryan Palmer – Ryan in a way embodies everything that is what we at GolfWRX love. He is known to tinker when new gear is released, but still maintains his love for great clubs )Ryan Palmer 2020 WITB). After famously saying in an interview “With the amount of money we play for (on the PGATour) why would I risk using something I don’t 100% feel confident in?” we expect that the status quo will continue, which still makes it a lot of fun to watch!
Billy Horschel – Billy was one of the first players to sign with (at the time) equipment upstart PXG, but for 2020 he joined the ranks of other equipment free agents on tour (Billy Horschel 2020 WITB). Once again, like other veteran players on this list, Billy has done very well with career earning including a FedEx Cup win, so he is likely to stay the course and play what he wants for 2021, but stranger things have happened and he will be a player to follow.
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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
WITB Albums
- Akshay Bhatia – WITB – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Matthieu Pavon – WITB – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
- Rory McIlroy – 2024 Wells Fargo Championship
Pullout Albums
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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Ben
Apr 9, 2021 at 4:16 am
Without sponsored deals I believe the most commonly used clubs on tour would be:
Driver: Ping – Stability
Fairway: Cobra – Great off the deck but willing to admit this is the least likely.
Irons: Mizuno – Feel
Wedges: Vokey – Even lots of contracted players use them already.
Putter: Scotty Cameron – Same as wedges
BTW I don’t use any of the above in my own bag.
josh
Dec 31, 2020 at 12:24 am
Jason day doesn’t need a hat deal. His Nike gear makes sure of that.
Alex
Dec 30, 2020 at 7:31 pm
Wish more guys were free agents. I get it, but if you have a Nike or adidas contract or your name isn’t Rory, DJ, Bryson, JT why would you want to play equipment you don’t truly believe in. My bag
Ping G410 driver
Callaway epic flash 3 wood
Titleist 818 H2 hybrid or Cleveland/Srixon driving iron
Srixon 585 4 iron
Srixon 785 5/PW
Vokey SM7 50
Vokey SM5 56 bent to 55
VokeySMY 60 bent to 59
Taylormade Ghost Manta mallet
Ted K
Jan 2, 2021 at 8:32 pm
Hey narcissist, nobody gives a c r a p about what’s in your bag!
Ben
Jan 3, 2021 at 12:03 am
Hey Ted, this is WRX so I care more about what’s in his bag than your comment that offers nothing. There are plenty of Golf sites where no one cares go hang out there. Happy New Year.
Mark
Dec 30, 2020 at 6:57 pm
Maybe if enough players go without equipment deals the price of drivers could come down to $399 and get a set of irons under $999 again.
stephen hall
Dec 30, 2020 at 7:32 pm
Not a chance
Jeff
Dec 31, 2020 at 4:29 pm
The cat has left that bag
Benny
Jan 2, 2021 at 7:37 pm
You can do this now, just not with the main OEM’s