FROM: CALLAWAY CEO
There has been a lot of discussion surrounding Phil Mickelson's use of one older model Ping wedge during the Farmers Insurance Open. Normally I would not comment on such matters, but in this instance I would like to clarify any misunderstandings and help everyone work together to solve the problems that Phil helped highlight.
I think everyone should know by now that Phil has not done anything wrong. He did not violate any rule or regulation regarding equipment, as confirmed by the PGA TOUR. Those who offered misinformed statements at the start of last week have since issued retractions and apologies. In addition, Phil did not violate his contract with Callaway, and he never would. Phil has been our partner and friend for many years, and we continue to work very closely with him, as we do with all of our staff professionals. Phil’s love for the game of golf is demonstrated in the way he conducts himself both on and off the course.
I sincerely hope that any misinformed speculation about a nonexistent wrongdoing does not detract from the fact that Phil did something very much right. The stature and respect that Phil has earned throughout his career allowed him to produce a focused attention on several problems currently being faced by the Tours, players and others as they implement an unprecedented rollback in groove specifications.
While Callaway Golf did not support this rollback, we recognize that we all need to work together regarding its implementation. In this regard, we applaud the statement by John Solheim of Ping indicating his willingness to work with Commissioner Finchem to address the Ping wedge issue specifically. We think this highlights the natural partnership that exists between the PGA TOUR and the equipment manufacturers who work very closely with the players. We all recognize the importance of how the game is portrayed by the best players, and have a shared interest in preserving that image. Thus, Callaway, like Ping, hopes to be able to work with the PGA TOUR and all the professional tours to solve the problems created by this rollback in the Rules of Golf. We thank Phil for his courage in bringing this issue to the fore.
George Fellows
President and CEO
Callaway Golf Company
