Mickelson signs new deal with Callaway

OAKVILLE, Ontario — It didn’t take Masters champion Phil Mickelson long to find a new equipment deal, signing an endorsement contract with Callaway Golf on Tuesday just one week after he left Titleist.

Coming off a phenomenal season in the majors, Mickelson will start using a prototype of the Callaway HX Tour golf ball, a prototype Fusion Driver and the Big Bertha fairway metals at the Canadian Open.

He is expected to work with Callaway club designer Roger Cleveland to build his own irons, wedges and putters.

Mickelson was let out of his five-year Titleist contract some 16 months early after trying to renegotiate. He was said to be leaning toward Callaway, and the deal came together quickly.

His Callaway contract is believed to be for at least five years. Financial terms were not immediately available. Mickelson will wear the Callaway logo on his shirt sleeve, the side of his visor and his golf bag.

The deal means that for the second straight Ryder Cup, a top American player will be switching equipment the week before the matches. Woods changed from Titleist to Nike irons the week before the ‘02 Ryder Cup, and he won the American Express Championship that week in Ireland.

Mickelson, who has always played the Titleist ball, will be using a prototype that has a softer cover for better control from within 150 yards, which Lefty has always said was key to his success.

“The two areas I have stressed this year have been driving the ball in play and having optimum distance control from 150 yards in,” Mickelson said.