Callaway Golf Staffer Phil Mickelson Captures BellSouth
Press Release
Posted 2005-04-10
Phil Mickelson warmed up for his Masters title defense yesterday
with a thrilling playoff victory in the BellSouth Classic, defeating
four other pros, including fellow Callaway Golf (NYSE:ELY) Staff
Professionals Rich Beem and Brandt Jobe. With a dominating display of
tee-to-green power and precision, Mickelson survived the first three
playoff holes at the TPC at Sugarloaf in Duluth, Georgia, before
finally sinking a 13-foot birdie putt on the fourth to eliminate the
resurgent Beem and win his third PGA Tour title of the season.
Mickelson's final-round 69 for an 8-under-par 208 total in the
weather-shortened tournament, tied Beem, Jobe, Jose Maria Olazabal and
Arjun Atwal. This set up a playoff that would show off not only
Mickelson's remarkable control of his Prototype Fusion(R) Driver -- he
bisected the final nine fairways of the day -- but also the growing
usage of Callaway Golf(R) Driver technology by top touring pros. Four
of the five golfers in the playoff used drivers created by Callaway
Golf, with Prototype Fusion Drivers, in the hands of Mickelson, Beem
and Jobe and a Big Bertha(R) Titanium 454 Driver in the hands of one
of the other pros.
In addition to his Prototype Fusion Driver, Mickelson played a Big
Bertha 4-wood, Prototype Fusion 3-wood, Callaway Golf X-Tour(TM)
Irons, Forged+ Wedges, an Odyssey(R) PM Prototype Putter and a new
HX(R) Tour Golf Ball. Beem used a Prototype Fusion Driver, a new HX
Tour Golf Ball, Big Bertha 4-wood, Ben Hogan(R) Apex(R) FTX(TM) Irons,
a Bettinardi(R) Putter and a Hogan CFT Hybrid. Jobe used a Prototype
Fusion Driver, a Callaway Golf X-Tour 2-iron, Ben Hogan Apex Edge(R)
Pro Irons and a Hogan Tour Deep(TM) Golf Ball.
"The way I'm swinging, the way I'm driving the ball, I have a lot
of confidence going into the Masters," said Mickelson, who improved
his playoff record to 7-1, best in PGA Tour annals. "I was able to hit
the type of tee shot I wanted, especially on the back nine and through
the playoff -- a high, hard cut that was exactly what I was looking
for going into Augusta."
Even with the prodigious distances Mickelson was driving it off
the tee (he averaged 293 yards for the tournament), Beem often
outdrove him, including on three of four playoff holes. Beem also led
the field in greens in regulation in compiling his first PGA Tour
top-10 finish since finishing second in the Western Open two years
ago. Beem very nearly won the tournament on the first playoff hole,
barely missing his birdie putt.
"You can't get away with giving a great player like Phil those
kind of opportunities," Beem said. "But I'm pleased with the way I was
striking the ball. I've been working really hard on my game and there
are some good things happening."
The same is true for Jobe, who has nine International victories on
his resume but is still looking for his first PGA Tour win. He very
nearly had it yesterday after shooting a 67 to get into the playoff.
He drove the ball beautifully, averaging 303.7 off the tee with his
Prototype Fusion Driver, and played a nearly spotless tournament --
bogeying just two holes, birdieing 10 and parring the rest to lead the
field in consistency.
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.
Click Here To Give Feedback Or Talk About This Article
NEWS
FORUMS
EQUIPMENT
COURSES
PRO SHOP
DIRECTORY
CONTACT US
GIVEAWAYS
ADVERTISING
