CARLSBAD, Calif., Feb 18, 2002 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Odyssey(R) Dual Force(R) Putters were used by the winners of the only two major U.S. tour events that concluded yesterday. Odyssey Golf, a brand of Callaway Golf (NYSE: ELY), was the putter brand of choice for the winners of the PGA Tour's Nissan Open and the Senior PGA Tour's Verizon Classic. The two victories capped a successful week for the Odyssey Golf brand, as nine golfers earned top-10 finishes using Odyssey Putters at last week's tour events.

The winner of the Nissan Open used an Odyssey Dual Force Rossie(R) 2 Putter to earn his first victory in seven seasons on the PGA Tour. His birdie on the 17th hole in the final round gave him a one-shot lead, which he maintained with a solid par on the final green. The winner of the Verizon Classic used an Odyssey Dual Force Putter to claim the fifth victory of his Senior PGA Tour career. Odyssey Dual Force Putters -- recognized by their distinctive black Stronomic insert -- have been used to win more than 250 tour events since 1994.

Callaway Golf(R) clubs and balls also had strong showings over the weekend. Callaway Golf had five balls in play among the top 12 finishers at the Nissan Open -- more than any other manufacturer. Two of those golfers chose the new HX(TM) golf ball and its advanced aerodynamic design, while three trusted their games to the thin cover and high performance of the CTU 30(TM) golf ball. Four of the top eight finishers at the Nissan Open also used drivers made by Callaway Golf, including three Hawk Eye(R) VFT(R) Pro Series Titanium Drivers and one new Big Bertha C4(TM) Driver.

A trio of Callaway Golf Staff Professionals finished in the top 10 at the Nissan Open. Tohru Taniguchi finished fifth, while Charles Howell III and Per-Ulrik Johansson finished tied for sixth. Taniguchi carded his best-ever U.S. finish while using 12 Callaway Golf clubs, including a Hawk Eye VFT Pro Series Titanium Driver, Steelhead 4- and 5-wood, Steelhead(TM) X-14(R) Pro Series Irons and an Odyssey White Hot(R) 5 Putter, along with the CTU 30 Red ball. Howell earned his third top-10 finish of the year using 14 Callaway Golf clubs, including a Hawk Eye VFT Pro Series Titanium Driver, Steelhead Plus(R) 3-wood, Steelhead X-14 Pro Series Irons and an Odyssey White Hot "2-Ball" Putter, along with the CTU 30 Red ball. Howell also put a pair of Callaway Golf prototype wedges in play for the first time in competition.

Johansson had his most impressive finish of the season at the Nissan Open. Using the Big Bertha C4 Driver and the HX Red golf ball, Johansson had a driving accuracy of 100 percent while finishing fourth in driving distance at 295.4 yards. Johansson has increased his driving distance average by 7.5 yards this year since switching to the Big Bertha C4 Driver and HX Red golf ball. Johansson used a total of 11 Callaway Golf clubs at the Nissan Open, including a Steelhead III 4-wood, Steelhead X-14 Pro Series Irons and an Odyssey White Hot "2-Ball" Putter.

Callaway Golf Company makes and sells Big Bertha(R) Metal Woods and Irons, including Big Bertha C4(TM) Compression Cured Carbon Composite Drivers, Big Bertha ERC(R) II Forged Titanium Drivers, Big Bertha ERC Forged Titanium Fairway Woods, Big Bertha Hawk Eye(R) VFT(R) and Big Bertha Hawk Eye VFT Pro Series Titanium Drivers and Fairway Woods, Big Bertha Steelhead(TM) III Stainless Steel Drivers and Fairway Woods, Hawk Eye VFT Tungsten Injected(TM) Titanium Irons, Big Bertha Stainless Steel Irons, Steelhead X-14(R) and Steelhead X-14 Pro Series Stainless Steel Irons. Callaway Golf Company also makes and sells Odyssey(R) Putters, including White Hot(R), TriHot(TM), and Dual Force(R) Putters. Callaway Golf Company makes and sells the Callaway Golf(R) HX(TM) Blue and HX Red balls, Rule 35(R) Firmfeel(TM) and Softfeel(TM) balls, the CTU 30(TM) Blue and CTU 30 Red balls, and the CB1(TM) Blue and CB1 Red balls. For more information about Callaway Golf Company, please visit our Web sites at www.callawaygolf.com and www.odysseygolf.com.

CONTACT:
Callaway Golf Company
Larry Dorman / Mike Galeski / Millie Speirs
760/931-1771

Copyright (C) 2002 Business Wire. All rights reserved.