CARLSBAD, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Feb. 27, 2006–Kirk Triplett’s switch to the new HX(R) Tour Golf Ball from Callaway Golf (NYSE:ELY) yielded instant results this past weekend. In his first tournament with the improved HX Tour ball, Triplett closed with blistering rounds of 64-63 to come from seven strokes off the pace and win the Chrysler Classic of Tucson by one stroke over Jerry Kelly.
Triplett, who on Saturday equaled the best round of the day with his 64, went himself one better on Sunday. He birdied the first five holes, then capped a four-birdie run on the back nine with a spectacular 51-foot chip-in on No. 17 to finish at 22-under-par 266. Afterward, he gave much of the credit to his new HX Tour Golf Ball.
"My distance control on my wedge shots was fantastic," said Triplett, who recorded his third PGA Tour victory one month shy of his 44th birthday. "The ball did everything it was supposed to do — and I knew that it would; that’s why I switched to it. I’m thrilled with what the new HX Tour has given to my game!"
Triplett was not exaggerating about the impact the improved HX Tour Golf Ball had on his short game and iron play. His average approach shot for the week was just outside 20 feet and he holed out from off the green four times during the tournament. He also was 4 under par on the par three holes, two strokes better than his nearest competitor.
The new HX Tour is manufactured using the Company’s proprietary RIM (Reaction Injection Molding) Technology, a key step in the manufacturing process that locks the core and mantle layers in place to ensure maximum concentricity. RIM Technology also creates an ultra-thin, exceptionally soft cover for high-speed drives and iron shots with plenty of spin — as evidenced by Triplett’s performance and post-tournament evaluation.
In other Callaway Golf Professional Tour Staff news, European PGA Tour player Charl Schwartzel won the South African Sunshine Tour’s Vodacom Tour Championship on the strength of a final-round 67 to finish at 14-under-par 270. The four-shot victory moved Schwartzel to the top of the Sunshine Tour Order of Merit for the second straight year.
As a result of finishing atop the Sunshine Tour Order of Merit, Schwartzel, 21, guaranteed himself spots in The Open Championship at Royal Liverpool Golf Club in July and the World Golf Championships’ Bridgestone Invitational and American Express Championship.
Through an unwavering commitment to innovation, Callaway Golf creates products and services designed to make every golfer a better golfer. Callaway Golf Company manufactures and sells golf clubs and golf balls, and sells golf accessories, under the Callaway Golf(R), Top-Flite(R), Odyssey(R) and Ben Hogan(R) brands. For more information visit www.callawaygolf.com.
Contact:
Callaway Golf Company
Larry Dorman
760-931-1771
