One of the top equipment free agents is officially off the market. Coming off the best season of his professional career, Francesco Molinari announced a multi-year gear deal with Callaway that will see him use the company’s metalwoods, irons, wedges, Odyssey putter and Chrome Soft golf ball. He’ll also carry a Callaway staff bag after opening the season in Hawaii with a nondescript stand bag.
“I am joining Callaway because I’m so impressed by their equipment,” said Molinari in a statement. “More than anything, I’m looking forward to playing the new Epic Flash driver and the Chrome Soft X ball. The ball speed gains that I’m getting from the driver are unbelievable. And this golf ball is the best one that I’ve ever played. The performance from tee-to-green, especially the feel and control, is exactly what I want.”
Molinari was unflappable last season, recording wins at the Open Championship and Quicken Loans National, along with the European Tour’s BMW PGA Championship and season-long Race to Dubai title. He also went a perfect 5-0 during the 2018 Ryder Cup.
Molinari was arguably the hottest free agent heading into the offseason, but it didn’t take long for him to drop a heavy hint regarding his potential landing place when he arrived at the Sentry Tournament of Champions event with 14 Callaway clubs in the bag.
“We’re confident that he will play at an even higher level and enjoy many more great wins with Callaway equipment,” said Tim Reed, Callaway’s Senior VP of global sports marketing. “He’s added ball speed off the driver with Flash Face Technology, and his performance on approach shots and around the greens has been spectacular with his new Callaway irons, wedges, and our Chrome Soft Ball.”
Molinari’s official setup for Bay Hill looks very similar to what he’s played since January and consists of Callaway’s Epic Flash Sub Zero driver and 3-wood, Apex UT 3-iron, Apex MB 18 irons (4-PW), Mack Daddy 4 wedges, an Odyssey Toulon Madison putter (Stroke Lab shaft) and Chrome Soft X ball.
The 36-year-old enters the Arnold Palmer Invitational ranked 10th in the Official World Golf Ranking, making him the second Callaway staffer currently inside the top-10. (Xander Schauffele is ranked 8th.)
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