Wilson Golf, the company with more Major victories than any other club manufacturer, has signed Paul Lawrie after the former Open champion and Ryder Cup star declared his liking for the new Wilson Staff FG Tour irons.
The signing means that the last two European golfers to have won Major titles – Lawrie and three-time Major winner Padraig Harrington – are playing with Wilson clubs and promoting the brand on a global basis. Both players share the same coach in Bob Torrance, as well as the venue for their first Major wins – the daunting Carnoustie links.
The new deal sees Lawrie, who turned 41 on New Years Day, playing on the European Tour with the latest Wilson Staff FG Tour irons and Tw9 wedges; wearing a branded cap; and carrying the distinctive Wilson Staff branded bag and umbrella.
The popular Scotsman first signed with Wilson in Europe in 1993 and won The Open at Carnoustie in 1999 playing with Wilson irons. He left Wilson soon after lifting the Claret Jug to play on the PGA Tour in America, where he enjoyed a high-scoring debut (3½ points) for Europe in the Ryder Cup at Brookline and went on to capture the inaugural Dunhill Links Championship in 2001.
To win the Major title at Carnoustie, Lawrie came from ten shots back with a magnificent final round of 67 and then used a Wilson 4-iron to strike at the heart of the 17th & 18th greens and win the play-off with Jean Van de Velde & Justin Leonard.
“I’m delighted to be back playing with Wilson Staff clubs and believe my game will benefit a lot from using them in the months ahead,” said Lawrie. “I really like the feel of the new FG Tour irons which I’ve been playing with since last August and the Tw9 wedges are just outstanding.”
Commenting on the signing, Doug Wright, Business Director of Wilson Golf in Europe, said: “Having a player of Paul’s ability and standing on the Wilson Golf team is great and it makes it even more special to know that he has so much experience of Wilson products to call on when we look to introduce new Tour-proven equipment onto the market.”
Apart from Harrington and Lawrie, other players using Wilson clubs on Tour in 2010 include England’s Anthony Wall, Spain’s José Manuel Lara, Fredrik Ohlsson of Sweden and American Ryder Cup team prospect Ricky Barnes.
Wilson Staff www.wilsonstaff.com