CARLSBAD, Calif., Apr 10, 2006 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- With a commanding display of power and control, Callaway Golf (NYSE:ELY) Staff Professional Phil Mickelson yesterday turned back challenges from a parade of global all-star golfers and won his second Masters title, his second straight major championship and third major championship in three years.

As he did last week when he blitzed the field by 13 strokes at the BellSouth Classic outside Atlanta, Mickelson, 35, chose to employ two Big Bertha® Fusion® FT-3(TM) Drivers at Augusta -- a 9.5 draw-weighted configuration with a 46-inch shaft for longer drives and a 9.5 fade-configuration with a 45-inch shaft for drives requiring a controlled fade. He drove the ball powerfully all week, averaging nearly 300 yards off the tee and pounding drive after drive deep into the fairways as he came down the stretch on Sunday, closing with a 69 at Augusta National Golf Club for a 7-under-par total of 281, two strokes clear of the field.

"It was huge ... it was a huge help," Mickelson said of his successful use of the two Fusion FT-3 Drivers. "I worked with the technicians over at Callaway Golf and I got 20-to-25 yards more with the FT-3 that draws. I needed it to combat the added length here at Augusta."

The victory improved the FT-3 Driver's official major championship win total to six of the last 10 PGA and LPGA majors, and gave the HX Tour Golf Ball its 5th major championship win in the past 10 majors. Mickelson now concurrently holds the '05 PGA Championship and '06 Masters titles and joins Tiger Woods as one of two golfers in the past 20 years to win three major championships in a three-year span.

With the Augusta National course stretched to 7,445 yards, making it the second-longest course in major championship history, there was an added premium on driving the ball long and straight. The ability to successfully draw or fade his drives without changing his golf swing put Mickelson in position to attack pins with shorter irons. Although dire predictions of a "bombers only" leaderboard were not fulfilled -- fully half the top 15 finishers are medium-length drivers -- Mickelson took full advantage of his length, birdieing three of Augusta's four par-5 holes yesterday and playing them in 13-under-par for the week.

His iron play and putting also were impeccable. His longest par putt, with the exception of the meaningless 20-footer he missed on the 18th hole for his only bogey, was the 5-footer he made after a bunker shot on the 10th.

"I am having the best time right now playing golf," Mickelson said. "I'm having so much fun being able to compete for major championships, it's just incredible. And to win a couple in a row now, it's just an amazing feeling."

Also in Mickelson's bag were the Callaway Golf® X Fairway Woods, X-Tour® Irons, the new X-Tour® Wedges with Mack Daddy Grooves, the new HX® Tour Golf Ball and Odyssey® White Hot XG(TM) Putter with the new multi-layer insert.

With the victory and the $1.26 million winner's check, Mickelson vaulted to the top spot on the PGA Tour money list and up to No. 2 in the World Rankings behind Woods.

hrough 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®, Top-Flite®, Odyssey® and Ben Hogan® brands. For more information visit www.callawaygolf.com.

SOURCE: Callaway Golf Company

Callaway Golf Company
Larry Dorman, 760-931-1771