The Loop

Callaway signs Tom Watson and Marc Leishman

January 08, 2016

It’s the beginning of a new year, which means it's time for equipment companies to take a look at who should be playing their clubs this season. For those keeping score at home, Callaway has announced the players that they’re sponsoring for the 2016 season.

Callaway has a portfolio of marquee players in Phil Mickelson, Henrik Stenson and Branden Grace. But they also have two newcomers: Marc Leishman and Tom Watson.

Leishman, who formerly played Titleist, finished last year number 25 on the Official World Golf Ranking. The most notable moment of his 2015 season was the British Open. Remember? He was part of that playoff that brought the world’s dreams of a Jordan Speith Grand Slam to an end? He was also T-5 in the British Open in 2014, and fourth in the 2014 Masters.

In the 2016 season Leishman is going full Callaway: He’ll be playing the Callaway XR16 driver, a combo set of irons that'll involve the Apex 16 Pro irons, the MD3 Milled wedges, and an Odyssey Versa putter.

Watson, who is 66 years old, played his last British Open at St. Andrews last year, is also going to be playing Callaway clubs and an Odyssey putter. Watson has been playing Adams since 1999. Last season he played in eight Champions Tour events, finishing in the top ten twice. He’ll be playing on the Champions Tour and European Tour again this year, and he’ll be teeing it up at Augusta for his last Masters this April.

Watson will have the Great Big Bertha Driver, an Apex hybrid, the Apex 16 Pro irons, and the MD3 Milled wedges in his bag. He'll be playing the Chrome Soft ball.