In the greatest PGA European Tour comeback in more than
30 years, Callaway Golf (NYSE:ELY) Staff Professional Thomas Bjorn
overcame a first-round 78 and a nine-stroke deficit in the Irish Open,
birdieing the final two holes at Carton House Golf Club Monday to win
by one stroke. After heavy rain on Sunday pushed completion of the
tournament to Monday, Bjorn shot a closing round of 72 to finish at
5-under-par 283 and capture his ninth PGA European Tour title.
For the third consecutive week the Callaway Golf(R) Fusion(R)
FT-3(TM) Driver was the #1 model choice among touring professionals at
the Irish Open, with 52 in play (35 percent of the field). The Company
also won the fairway wood count with 69 (36 percent).
In addition to his FT-3 Driver, Bjorn, 35, relied on a full
arsenal of equipment from the Callaway Golf Company, including a Big
Bertha(R) Strong 4 Fairway Wood, a Big Bertha Heavenwood(R) Hybrid,
Apex(R) FTX(TM) Irons from Ben Hogan(R) (a Callaway Golf brand),
Callaway Golf X-Tour(TM) Wedges, the new HX(R) Tour Golf Ball and an
Odyssey(R) Putter.
The victory pushed Bjorn from 19th to fourth on the European Tour
Order of Merit and into the No. 10 spot on the European Ryder Cup
list. Bjorn's perseverance after his opening round was remarkable,
aided by rounds of 66-67 in the second and third rounds and a steady
72 in a tough final round during which no one in the field broke 70.
"This was not an easy victory by any means, but I'm happy with the
way I hung tough this week," said Bjorn, who tied a European Tour
record set in 1975 for largest comeback after the opening round and
also bounced back from two heartbreaking defeats on Irish soil. "You
could say this country owed me one, and I was able to collect today."
Odyssey was an overwhelming favorite at Carton House, winning the
putter count handily as more than half of the field, including four of
the top 10 finishers, used Odyssey Putters. Around the world in Asia
the Odyssey domination was even more pronounced: at the Japan LPGA's
Chukyo TV Bridgestone Ladies over the weekend, nine of the top 11
finishers chose an Odyssey Putter, and at the Munsingwear Open KSB Cup
on the Japan Golf Tour, seven of the top 11 did so.
Tour results are through the week ending 05/21/06 and reflect data
from the European PGA, Japan LPGA and JGTO Tours. Sources: Darrell
Survey and Sports Marketing Survey, Ltd. Through an unwavering
commitment to innovation, Callaway Golf creates products and services
designed to make every golfer a better golfer. Callaway Golf Company
manufactures and sells golf clubs and golf balls, and sells golf
accessories, under the Callaway Golf(R), Top-Flite(R), Odyssey(R) and
Ben Hogan(R) brands. For more information visit www.callawaygolf.com.
