January 7, 2009; Phoenix Arizona: Ryder Cup standout Hunter Mahan extended his endorsement agreement with industry leader PING and leads a staff of 16 fully exempt players as the PGA tour kicks off its 2009 season this week, PING Chairman & CEO John Solheim announced today.
Also renewing contracts with PING, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, were Bubba Watson, Mark Calcavecchia, Nick O’Hern, Daniel Chopra and Jeff Maggert. They join other long-time PING pros, including Kevin Sutherland, Angel Cabrera, Mark Wilson, Heath Slocum, Chris DiMarco and Joey Snyder to give the staff a balance of proven veterans and up-and-coming youth. Nationwide standout Bill Lunde and qualifying school graduates Ted Purdy, Chris Riley and Chris Stroud will also represent PING this year on the PGA Tour.
Terms of the contracts were not released.
“We’re very pleased with the quality and depth of our PGA Tour staff as we begin the 2009 season,” said Solheim. “Continuing our relationship with Hunter was a key objective for us from a tour standpoint. In the last two years, he’s established himself as one of the game’s top young players. He provides us a high-profile, aggressive player who’s fun to watch. Bubba’s a crowd-pleaser with his long drives and has proven he’s got the entire game to be a top player on the PGA Tour. The entire staff represents our company’s high standards as we look forward to our 50th year in golf.”
Mahan, a captain’s pick for the victorious Ryder Cup team, begins his sixth year on the PGA Tour. He joined the PING staff as a rookie following an award-winning career at Oklahoma State University and has one PGA Tour victory to his credit-the 2007 Travelers Championship. In 2008, he finished 30th on the money list and registered five top tens. He played in all five matches at the Ryder Cup where he compiled an undefeated record (2-0-3). At the Kiwi Challenge, a made-for-TV event featuring four of the top young players in the game, he was six-under-par over the final six holes while winning the $1.5 million top prize.
“I’ve been with PING since my college days and I have complete trust in my equipment and the team at PING,” said Mahan, who lives in Plano, Texas. “To extend my relationship with them gives me great confidence going forward. I’m in the prime of my career and I need to play equipment that gives me the best opportunity to become one of the top players in the game.”
He’ll begin the season with several of PING’s newest products, including a Rapture V2® driver, S57® irons and an iWi® D66® putter.
Watson, who has won the PGA Tour Driving Distance title three straight years, begins his fourth season after earning more than $1.5 million and finishing 58th on the money list and 30th in the FedEx Cup in 2008. His best finish was a tie for 2nd at the Buick Open. He relies on a G10® driver, S57 irons and a Redwood® Anser® putter.
“My relationship with PING goes back to my teenage years,” said Watson. “They’ve helped me get to where I am today. Their equipment is the best out there and they take great care of their staff. I know they’ll always make sure my equipment is designed and built to give me the best chance of success.”
PING’s international staff is anchored by England’s Lee Westwood (ranked 10th in the world), Spain’s Miguel Angel Jimenez (21st) and Taiwan’s Wen-Tang Lin (49th).
Contact:
Pete Samuels at (602) 687-5487.