Former Wilson Staff player returns to the brand that helped him win The British Open Championship in 1999
CHICAGO, Jan. 19, 2010 – Wilson Golf, the company with more Major victories (61) than any other golf club manufacturer, has signed Paul Lawrie as the latest Wilson Staff Advisory Member to dedicate his future to Wilson equipment. Lawrie is a former British Open champion and Ryder Cup player who will join three-time Major winner Padraig Harrington as a Wilson Staff European golfer with a Major title to his name.
Lawrie will utilize Wilson clubs in tournament play and will promote the Wilson Golf brand globally. Both Lawrie and Harrington share the same coach, Bob Torrance, as well as the venue of their first Major win – the daunting Carnoustie links.
Lawrie, 41, is a Scotland native and will play on the European Tour with the latest Wilson Staff FG Tour irons and Tw9 wedges. He will wear a branded Wilson Staff cap and carry the distinctive Wilson Staff branded bag and umbrella.
In 1993, Paul Lawrie first signed with Wilson and, with Wilson irons in his bag, he won The British Open at Carnoustie in 1999. To win at Carnoustie, Lawrie came from ten shots back with a final round of 67. He used a Wilson 4-iron on the 17th and 18th greens and won the playoff with Jean Van de Velde and Justin Leonard.
Lawrie later went on to play on the PGA TOUR in the U.S., where he enjoyed a high-scoring debut (3.5 points) for Europe in the Ryder Cup at Brookline in 2001. He captured the inaugural Dunhill Links Championship in 2001.
“I’m delighted to be back playing with Wilson Staff clubs and believe my game will benefit from using them in the months ahead,” said Lawrie. “I really like the feel of the new FG Tour irons which I’ve been playing with since last August, and the Tw9 wedges are just outstanding.”
“We are very excited to welcome Paul back to the Wilson family,” said Wilson Golf General Manager Tim Clarke. “He is a smart and talented golfer, and we believe that having Wilson Staff clubs in his bag will improve his game and propel his already successful Tour career to new heights.”
Lawrie and Padraig Harrington are Wilson Staff Advisory Members. Other members include England’s Anthony Wall, Spain’s José Manuel Lara, Fredrik Ohlsson of Sweden and American Ryder Cup team prospect Ricky Barnes.
About Wilson Golf
For nearly a century, Wilson Golf has designed, manufactured and distributed premium and recreational golf equipment throughout the world. Since 1914, Wilson Staff irons have won 61 Major championships, more than any other iron manufacturer in history. Wilson Staff’s Zip Ball, Di9 iron and the Wilson Staff Smooth driver were honored with Golf Digest’s Hot List awards in 2009. Wilson Staff, Profile, ProStaff and Hope consumer brands continue that tradition today by delivering the highest quality golf equipment to all golfers to enhance performance on the course and overall enjoyment of the game.
Wilson Golf is a division of Chicago-based Wilson Sporting Goods Co., one of the world’s leading manufacturers of sports equipment by Amer Sports. Consumers can log onto www.wilsonstaff.com or call 1-800-622-0444 for more information.
Editor’s note
Various high-resolution images, suggested retail prices and in-depth product press releases for the entire 2010 line are available upon request.
Contact:
Susie Chang
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susan.chang@kemperlesnik.com