CARLSBAD, Calif., July 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Callaway Golf Company (NYSE: ELY) today announced that Staff Professional Ernie Els used a full bag of Callaway equipment, including the RAZR Fit Driver and the HEX Black Tour Golf Ball, to win the 2012 Open Championship at Royal Lytham & St. Annes this weekend. Els' win marks the third major championship victory for the Callaway RAZR Fit driver this season and the second major championship win in two weeks. The RAZR Fit driver has now won 10 tournaments worldwide, with five victories coming in the last seven weeks. Similarly, the HEX Black Tour golf ball has been used in four of the last seven wins on the European Tour, where the ball's aerodynamic properties help mitigate typically windy conditions.

Els, widely known as "The Big Easy," prevailed in dramatic fashion in Lancashire, England, making four clutch birdies to shoot a back nine 32, finishing the tournament at 7-under par. After the round, the Callaway Staff Professional thanked the Company for its support over the last several years. "The Callaway people have stood behind me and really helped me out," Els said in a post-championship interview. "I've been with them for five years now."

Els relied on the following Callaway equipment to win the fourth career major championship—and second Claret Jug—of his Hall of Fame career:

Callaway RAZR Fit Driver, 8.5*

Callaway X-TOUR 15* Fairway Wood

Callaway RAZR X Muscleback Irons (5-PW)

Callaway X Utility Prototype Irons (18*, 21*, 24*)

Callaway X-Series JAWS Wedges (52*, 60*)

Odyssey White Hot XG #1 Belly Putter

Callaway HEX Black Tour Golf Ball

"Ernie's major championship victory proves our unwavering commitment to making the best performing products for the best golfers in the world," said Harry Arnett, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Callaway Golf. "When the top players compete, they choose Callaway."

Steady iron play with his Callaway RAZR X Muscleback Irons propelled Els' rounds of 67-70-68-68. He led the major championship field in Greens in Regulation, hitting an impressive 79 percent for the tournament.

Complementing his RAZR X Muscleback Irons were three Callaway X Utility Irons, a technical iron designed for the world's best players by Callaway Chief Designer Roger Cleveland. The new clubs, introduced in May, feature a shallow, deep Center of Gravity, which creates a higher launch angle for many players than their longer irons. The Callaway X Utility Prototype irons - only available on Tour - are made with a hollow forged construction and a high-strength steel face that produces high ball speeds. The irons also feature removable weights on the sole that allow players to make adjustments.

For specific information regarding the RAZR Fit driver or the HEX Black Tour golf ball or any other Callaway products, please visit http://www.callawaygolf.com/.  High-resolution images of these products are available for immediate download on Callaway's Press Center: www.callawaygolf.com/PressCenter

About Callaway Golf

Through an unwavering commitment to innovation, Callaway Golf Company (NYSE:ELY) 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 apparel, footwear and accessories, under the Callaway Golf^® and Odyssey^® brands in more than 110 countries worldwide. For more information please visit www.callawaygolf.com or shop.callawaygolf.com.

CONTACT:
Scott Goryl
Callaway Golf Company
Scott.Goryl@CallawayGolf.com
760-804-4080

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SOURCE Callaway Golf