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That didn’t take long: Lydia Ko signs with Callaway

Published

13 years ago

on

According to a variety of outlets, including Simon Plumb, New Zealand sport journalist of the year, Lydia Ko has signed an endorsement deal with Callaway Golf.

Callaway has yet to make an official announcement, reports indicate that a 2014-season staff bag bearing Ko’s name has been spotted.

A deal with Callaway was rumored after the 16-year-old visited the Carlsbad, Calif., company in November, meeting her idol Phil Mickelson in the process.

Here’s the equipment Lydia Ko was playing in late August, as you can see, none of the then-amateur’s sticks bore the Callaway logo.

Earlier this month, however, the Callaway X2 Hot driver was spotted in the New Zealander’s bag, as was a Callaway putter, and what appeared to be Callaway Mack Daddy wedge when teen prodigy won the Swinging Skirts World Ladies Masters, an official event so-sanctioned by the Taiwan LPGA and Korea Ladies Professional Golf Tour.

Indeed, we spotted this Callaway Mack Daddy 2 wedge in Ko’s bag late last month.

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All these things taken together make it pretty likely the 16-year-old is joining Morgan Pressel, Momoko Ueda, Sandra Gal, and Karen Stupples in an increasingly impressive group of LPGA Tour Callaway staffers.

This video posted by Golf Australia on YouTube December 18th shows the golfer with both Callaway hat and gear.

[youtube id=”DFqjwFKVJsI” width=”620″ height=”360″]

Of course the Callway deal isn’t the only recent agreement for Ko, who turned pro in November: she secured a three-year sponsorship deal with the Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited, an Australian bank.

Assuming Lydia Ko is indeed on the Callaway roster, she follows in the footsteps of another young New Zealander, Danny Lee, who  signed a reported multi-million dollar deal with Callaway in 2009 after joining the IMG stable. Lydia Ko, too, signed with IMG last week.

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Ben Alberstadt is the Editor-in-Chief at GolfWRX, where he’s led editorial direction and gear coverage since 2018. He first joined the site as a freelance writer in 2012 after years spent working in pro shops and bag rooms at both public and private golf courses, experiences that laid the foundation for his deep knowledge of equipment and all facets of this maddening game. Based in Philadelphia, Ben’s byline has also appeared on PGATour.com, Bleacher Report...and across numerous PGA DFS and fantasy golf platforms. Off the course, Ben is a committed cat rescuer and, of course, a passionate Philadelphia sports fan. Follow him on Instagram @benalberstadt.

14 Comments

14 Comments

  1. joro

    Mar 12, 2018 at 12:24 pm

    So if she signed with Callaway, why is she carrying, playing with, and wearing a PXG Hat and Bag.

    Reply Report comment

  2. Fyearoldgolfer

    Jan 19, 2018 at 7:51 pm

    Why is this ‘old’ story coming up? She signed with PGX before last season. Has there been any WITB sightings this year?

    Reply Report comment

  3. jc

    Dec 23, 2013 at 1:16 pm

    since steve williams hates it, it must be a good move.

    Reply Report comment

  4. jc

    Dec 23, 2013 at 1:15 pm

    she would have signed with taylor made but since they come out with a new driver every 4 days, she couldn’t keep up.

    Reply Report comment

  5. Martin

    Dec 23, 2013 at 7:19 am

    Story today in Golf.com that she dumped her coach.

    Hope she doesn’t start rebuilding her swing so she can win majors.

    Reply Report comment

  6. Brian

    Dec 22, 2013 at 9:42 pm

    I still wish she would have waited a bit longer before signing with a major label. I mean she just turned pro and has already had amazing success, I don’t really see why she signed within a month of turning pro.

    I mean for many young players it gives them the financial backing they need to enter tourneys and deal with the expenses on tour. However with how well she is playing as well as her multiple wins she shouldn’t have much pressure to sign with anyone. Not that I am saying signing is bad, I just think given her position and likely having any company begging to sign her at any point I think she should have given it more time. However I think she definitely deserves it and I look forward to watching her have wild success in 2014

    Reply Report comment

  7. Martin

    Dec 22, 2013 at 12:29 pm

    Good signing by Callaway.

    Reply Report comment

  8. Troy Vayanos

    Dec 22, 2013 at 1:17 am

    I think it’s a good move by Callaway because Lydia is a future star. At such a young age and enormous potential the sky is the limit for her.

    I don’t know how long the contract is for but I bet it’s a long one!

    Reply Report comment

    • Rich

      Dec 22, 2013 at 6:13 pm

      Future Star? Already a star. Good for you Lydia. You deserve all the rewards.

      Reply Report comment

  9. doe

    Dec 21, 2013 at 9:28 pm

    Callaway making more brilliant moves. No more Ernie, bring on the 15-16 year old Asian junior females. That’ll sell clubs at the retail level.

    Reply Report comment

  10. c'mon Ben!

    Dec 21, 2013 at 9:07 pm

    At this point especially by WRX standards this is old news… You’re usually better than this Ben!

    Reply Report comment

  11. Joe

    Dec 21, 2013 at 7:32 pm

    Ms Ko seems to be a classy young lady and will fit in with the other players at Callaway. The last couple years, Callaway has really stepped up, having to compete with much larger companies. This is a huge signing that will only furtherenhance their image.

    Reply Report comment

    • steve

      Dec 22, 2013 at 7:17 pm

      Unfortunately classy isn’t the word id use for Lydia. I met her at the ladies British open in st Andrews this year. She came across as being particularly bad mannered and downright spoiled. It was really disappointing.
      Good move for Callaway though nonetheless.

      Reply Report comment

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