Thongchai Jaidee’s Victory at the Wales Open with an Odyssey Metal-X Putter Continues Hot Streak for the #1 Putter in Golf
CARLSBAD, Calif., June 4, 2012 – Odyssey®, the #1 Putter in Golf®, announced today that staff professional Thongchai Jaidee used an Odyssey Metal-X™ 2-Ball belly putter to win the ISPS Handa Wales Open at Celtic Manor Resort on Sunday. Jaidee’s win, his fifth on the European Tour, marks the second victory in a row for Odyssey. Last week the popular Odyssey White Hot XG #7 model was used to win the prestigious BMW PGA Championship in Surrey, England. Odyssey now leads all putter manufacturers with ten victories on the European Tour in the 2012 season, more than three times the amount of wins by the nearest competitor.
Exceptional putting with his Odyssey Metal-X 2-Ball belly putter, despite rainy and windy conditions, spearheaded Thongchai Jaidee’s win. He was second in the field in putts per green in regulation, averaging 1.655. The 2-Ball model Jaidee used is Odyssey’s most popular model, featuring the revolutionary 2-ball alignment system with a double bend shaft and a full shaft offset. The 2-Ball model has sold over five million units sold since its creation in 2002.
The Metal-X putter line has caught on quickly since its launch on tour in late 2011. On the European Tour, for example, Metal-X putters have been put into play 156 times already, including ten this week at Celtic Manor Resort. From January 1 – June 4, 2012, Metal-X models have been put in play 376 times across all six major professional golf tours. The new putters’ performance is resonating with amateur golfers as well; the Metal-X line of putters is second only to the prolific 2-Ball products in terms of market share immediately following its launch.
“We’re so happy to see Thongchai win with his Metal-X putter. This win validates everything we’ve been seeing so far this year on Tour as well as the research and development we’ve put into bringing this line to market.” said Chris Koske, Global Business Director for Odyssey Golf. “This is the most excited the Tour has been about one of our launches since White Hot, and we’re starting to see it translate into big sales in the marketplace already as well.”
With a lightweight aluminum face in front of a urethane backer layer, Metal-X putters provide golfers the crisp feedback of a metal striking surface with the benefits of a softer feel for optimal touch. Featuring a sleek midnight black finish, the putters also offer a textured face that delivers a truer, more consistent roll. Odyssey’s Metal-X line of putters is available now, starting at the new product introduction retail price of $149 (USD).
“The idea for the new Metal-X putters came from working with several Tour players who liked the look and performance of our putters, but wanted the feel of a more metallic face,” said Austie Rollinson, Principal Designer for Odyssey Putters. “We took their feedback and decided to create an aluminum face with a urethane backing layer in order to maintain a lightweight face that helps us optimize the weight distribution in our designs.”
Odyssey putters have been put in play 1,109 times on the European Tour this season, accounting more than 45 percent of overall player usage-more than double that of the nearest competitor. This week at Celtic Manor Resort, Odyssey led the putter count with 67 out of 156 putters in play, or 42.9%. The next closest competitor had 27 putters in play (or 17.3%).
Since 2005 Odyssey putters have been the world’s leader in tour wins, tour usage and top tens around the globe. Odyssey insert putters-such as Metal-X-have captured 35 percent of the world’s majors, 30 percent of the world’s wins, 30 percent of its usage and 30 percent of its top tens.
For more information about the Metal-X line of putters, please visit http://www.odysseygolf.com/metal-X. To see Odyssey’s complete product lineup, please click here: www.odysseygolf.com.
High-resolution images of all Odyssey products are available for immediate download via the Press Center portion of Callaway Golf’s website: www.callawaygolf.com/PressCenter
About Callaway Golf
Through an unwavering commitment to innovation, Callaway Golf Company (NYSE:ELY) 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 apparel, footwear and accessories, under the Callaway Golf® and Odyssey® brands in more than 110 countries worldwide. For more information please visit www.callawaygolf.com or shop.callawaygolf.com.
Contact:
Scott Goryl
Callaway Golf Company
Scott.Goryl@CallawayGolf.com
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