PGA Tour Veteran and Callaway Golf Staff Professional Forces Sudden-Death After 18 Hole Playoff at Torrey Pines

CARLSBAD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 17, 2008--Callaway Golf Staff Professional Rocco Mediate gave Tiger Woods a run for his money as the two battled it out during an 18-hole playoff, as well as a single sudden-death hole for the 108th U.S. Open Championship. The veteran, Mediate, went punch for punch with the world's No. 1 golfer throughout the five days of tournament play, but came up one stroke short at the Par-4 7th hole in sudden-death finish at Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego.

"I threw everything I had, the kitchen sink, everything right at him," Mediate said. "I'm disappointed that I didn't win, but very happy with how I performed. This is the best golf I've ever played. It showed me I can still compete and I want to compete. I came up just a touch short."

During the tournament, Mediate used the Callaway FT-5 Driver, FT-i 3-Wood, X Hybrid 2H, X-20 Irons, X-Forged Wedges, Odyssey's new WH XG Sabertooth Putter, and Tour ix Golf Ball. He was dressed from head to toe in Callaway Collection Golf Apparel and XTT Callaway Golf Footwear.

Mediate, 45, was inches away from becoming the oldest U.S. Open champion in history. The longtime Callaway Golf Staff Pro made thousands of new fans on the course and millions more at home with his easy-going demeanor all week, shooting 69-71-72-71 the first four days. Mediate's thrilling performance on the U.S. Open stage catapulted him to No. 47 in the World Golf Rankings, a jump of 110 spots.

Fellow Callaway Golf Staff Professional Ernie Els finished in a tie for 14th at 2-over-par for the tournament. Els shot 70-72-74-73. Like Mediate, Els used the FT-5 Driver, along with a Tour 15 Degree X Fairway Wood, an X 5-Wood, X Prototype Irons, X-Forged Wedges, the Tour i Golf Ball and an Odyssey White Hot XG #5 Putter.

Callaway Golf Staff Professional Phil Mickelson closed with a flourish on Sunday, carding a 3-under-par 68 to finish tied for 18th. Lefty shot 71-75-76 in the first three rounds.

"As I look back I am so proud to be from San Diego and to have this Open championship here at Torrey Pines," Mickelson said. "And the golf course was, again, I think the best, fairest setup it's ever been. The mixture of tee boxes, the pin placements were all perfect to give the best players a chance to separate themselves. I'm disappointed I didn't play well, but I'm not disappointed the way this championship is shaping into form and the way that San Diego has been presented. This has been awesome."

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 accessories, under the Callaway Golf(R), Odyssey(R), Top-Flite(R), and Ben Hogan(R) brands in more than 110 countries worldwide. For more information please visit www.callawaygolf.com or www.Shop.CallawayGolf.com.

CONTACT: Callaway Golf
Tim Buckman, 760-804-4133
tim.buckman@callawaygolf.com

SOURCE: Callaway Golf