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Chris Racic Around The Clubhouse, Equipment, Golf News, Players

Sure it’s the closest thing to an offseason for the PGA Tour now and there isn’t much to talk about aside from Year in Review-type articles and previews of the upcoming season.  However, equipment deals and players switching manufacturers is news no matter where we are on the calendar and this is the closest thing to a free agency period there is.

No one involved really talks about the contracts or companies, but the rumors are out there.  There’s nothing like PGA Tour gossip, so check it out below:

Is Nike Getting Another Huge Name?

There’s a few years before we would see it, but this would be something if he left Adidas/TaylorMade:

Koepka Switching To Nike Also?

Now this would be a shame.  I’m a very big fan of Brooks Koepka, including the understated, preppy style he sports with Titleist/FootJoy.  It would be disappointing if he traded a classic look for Nike’s putrid color palette.  Nike realizes these images of Rory and Co. clad in fuchsia will be around for decades, don’t they?  This is simply a rumor at this point, but one I’m hoping doesn’t turn out to be true.

Sergio Garcia is Leaving Adidas/TaylorMade.

More information from the Secret Tour Pro:

Garcia will be releasing his own line of clothing, so a deal with Titleist would be clubs, balls and possibly FootJoy shoes only.

Gary Woodland Leaves Callaway.

It’s been confirmed the partnership between Woodland and Callaway will not be renewed.  The Golf WRX forums have photos of Woodland hitting TaylorMade’s M1.

Word is TaylorMade tried to sign Woodland, but couldn’t get him released from his deal to wear Under Armour clothing.  That’s a deal-breaker since TM won’t pay for just clubs.  Ping and PXG are in the mix for the bomber’s services now.

The PXG Stable Is Growing Quickly.

Parsons Xtreme Golf (PXG) is making a big splash when it comes to getting their clubs in pro’s hands.  In April, Ryan Moore signed with PXG after playing without an endorsement deal for three months when he passed on a TaylorMade deal.

Now, according to the Secret Tour Pro:

Zach Johnson would be leaving Titleist.  Billy Horschel is currently playing Ping.  Chris Kirk is in the Callaway clan.  DL3 would be walking away from TaylorMade.

Cleveland/Srixon Retains Their Pros.

Cleveland Golf has recently announced an extension with World #41 (and rising), Anirban Lahiri.  Also, if you read further in the Gary Woodland link, there was a rumor that Tour rookie Harold Varner III would be defecting to Callaway, but Cleveland announced an extendion with HV3 as well.

Let us know in the comments if I missed any rumors.

Chris Racic

Chris Racic lives and plays in NE Ohio. He works full time in the Financial Services industry and owns an absolutely horrendous short game. Chris chipped in for an eagle at Seven Hills Country Club in Hartville the day before his oldest daughter was born and is positive it’s some sort of sign.