FT-3 is Number-One Driver Model in Europe for Third Straight Week
(May 23, 2006) – In the greatest PGA European Tour comeback in more than 30 years, Callaway Golf (NYSE:ELY) Staff Professional Thomas Bjorn overcame a first-round 78 and a nine-stroke deficit in the Irish Open, birdieing the final two holes at Carton House Golf Club Monday to win by one stroke. After heavy rain on Sunday pushed completion of the tournament to Monday, Bjorn shot a closing round of 72 to finish at 5-under-par 283 and capture his ninth PGA European Tour title.
For the third consecutive week the Callaway Golf(R) Fusion(R) FT-3(TM) Driver was the #1 model choice among touring professionals at the Irish Open, with 52 in play (35 percent of the field). The Company also won the fairway wood count with 69 (36 percent).
In addition to his FT-3 Driver, Bjorn, 35, relied on a full arsenal of equipment from the Callaway Golf Company, including a Big Bertha(R) Strong 4 Fairway Wood, a Big Bertha Heavenwood(R) Hybrid, Apex(R) FTX(TM) Irons from Ben Hogan(R) (a Callaway Golf brand), Callaway Golf X-Tour(TM) Wedges, the new HX(R) Tour Golf Ball and an Odyssey(R) Putter.
The victory pushed Bjorn from 19th to fourth on the European Tour Order of Merit and into the No. 10 spot on the European Ryder Cup list. Bjorn’s perseverance after his opening round was remarkable, aided by rounds of 66-67 in the second and third rounds and a steady 72 in a tough final round during which no one in the field broke 70.
"This was not an easy victory by any means, but I’m happy with the way I hung tough this week," said Bjorn, who tied a European Tour record set in 1975 for largest comeback after the opening round and also bounced back from two heartbreaking defeats on Irish soil. "You could say this country owed me one, and I was able to collect today."
Odyssey was an overwhelming favorite at Carton House, winning the putter count handily as more than half of the field, including four of the top 10 finishers, used Odyssey Putters. Around the world in Asia the Odyssey domination was even more pronounced: at the Japan LPGA’s Chukyo TV Bridgestone Ladies over the weekend, nine of the top 11 finishers chose an Odyssey Putter, and at the Munsingwear Open KSB Cup on the Japan Golf Tour, seven of the top 11 did so.
Tour results are through the week ending 05/21/06 and reflect data from the European PGA, Japan LPGA and JGTO Tours. Sources: Darrell Survey and Sports Marketing Survey, Ltd. 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:
Larry Dorman
Callaway Golf
760-931-1771
