Graphite Design Shaft Model in the Bag of Mayakoba Golf Classic Winner

Press Release

Posted 2007-03-06

Graphite Design - maker of some of the most widely played graphite driver shaft models on the PGA TOUR - today announces the winner of the PGA TOUR's Mayakoba Golf Classic played a Graphite Design shaft model while the company's YS-Hybrid 85 led the hybrid shaft model count, according to the Darrell Survey.

The winner utilized Graphite Design's YS-7 shaft in his 3-wood en route to victory at El Camaleon Golf Club in Mexico, earning his eighth career PGA TOUR win. An opening-round, course-record 62 gave the winner a lead he never relinquished. The player also carries a Graphite Design shaft model during Champions Tour events.

Graphite Design's YS-Hybrid 85 was the most-played hybrid shaft model at the Mayakoba Golf Classic with 12 shafts in professionals' bags. As hybrid clubs gain widespread acceptance on the PGA TOUR, players increasingly turn to Graphite Design to deliver the same world-class performance achieved with the company's shafts for drivers and fairway woods. Graphite Design's YS-Hybrid 95, 105 and Tour AD were also used in hybrids at the Mayakoba Golf Classic.

"We congratulate the Mayakoba Golf Classic winner and are proud to have played a role in his latest victory," said Akio Karashima, CEO of Graphite Design. "Success on the PGA TOUR validates Graphite Design's position among the world's elite shaftmakers, and signals to amateurs the game-enhancing benefits our shafts produce."

In 2006, Graphite Design shafts were played by 41 winners of professional tournaments worldwide. Players using Graphite Design shafts amassed more than $90 million in PGA TOUR earnings in 2006 while the company earned more graphite wood-shaft model count victories on the PGA TOUR (16) than any other manufacturer. On the Japan Tour, Graphite Design shafts were in the bags of 18 winners in 2006 while the company extended its win streak in the wood-shaft brand count to 134 consecutive tournaments - an unprecedented string dating to 2002.

Graphite Design is the graphite shaftmaker of choice for Hank Haney, coach to the world's top-ranked player. The company recently introduced its G-TECH combination-flex custom clubmaker series of wood and iron shafts, designed for exceptional playability throughout the bag.