Running list of 2019 equipment deals and developments

PGA TOUR players inking new equipment deals for the New Year is nothing new, but 2019 is rumored to have a lot of movement among some big name players. In 2018, equipment free agents prospered. Will some of those free agents sign staff deals this year? Or, will those formerly with staff deals become free agents in 2019?  In this story, we keep track of all of the equipment rumors and the official deals that are confirmed. Confirmed signings Justin Rose signs multi-year deal with Honma After 20 years with TaylorMade, world No. 2 Justin Rose has signed an equipment deal with Honma. Will he be the only player making the move to Honma? Industry developments suggest otherwise. Click here for the full report on Rose’s new deal. Kevin Na, previously an equipment free agent, signs with Callaway Na, formerly a Titleist staffer but spent 2018 as an equipment free agent, confirmed that he signed with Callaway. This should come as no surprise, since Na was playing mostly Callaway equipment by the end of 2018. Developments A staff hat or a company’s golf clubs in the bag do not mean that player has inked a deal with a company. On the flip side, it could foreshadow a player’s intentions. A few developments to be aware of: Paul Casey Justin Rose’s confirmation on Jan. 1 adds to the chatter that Honma may sign a number of big-name players. Since Nike exited the hard goods industry, Paul Casey has been using Mizuno irons. But during a practice round at this week’s Sentry Tournament of Champions, Casey was spotted using a Honma Tour World TW-U iron. Gary Woodland The equipment free agent put Wilson Staff prototype blades in play in 2018. He seems to like the irons but as of now, that’s as far as it goes. Click here for more on Woodland’s new irons. Brandt Snedeker The long-time Bridgestone staff player is no longer listed on the “Tour Teamâ€� section of a company’s website. No official word on his potential free-agency status. Troy Merritt Merritt was spotted wearing a Titleist hat instead of a Wilson hat this week at Kapalua.

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