CARLSBAD, Calif., Apr 05, 2005 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Phil Mickelson warmed up for his Masters title defense yesterday with a thrilling playoff victory in the BellSouth Classic, defeating four other pros, including fellow Callaway Golf (NYSE:ELY) Staff Professionals Rich Beem and Brandt Jobe. With a dominating display of tee-to-green power and precision, Mickelson survived the first three playoff holes at the TPC at Sugarloaf in Duluth, Georgia, before finally sinking a 13-foot birdie putt on the fourth to eliminate the resurgent Beem and win his third PGA Tour title of the season.

Mickelson's final-round 69 for an 8-under-par 208 total in the weather-shortened tournament, tied Beem, Jobe, Jose Maria Olazabal and Arjun Atwal. This set up a playoff that would show off not only Mickelson's remarkable control of his Prototype Fusion(R) Driver -- he bisected the final nine fairways of the day -- but also the growing usage of Callaway Golf(R) Driver technology by top touring pros. Four of the five golfers in the playoff used drivers created by Callaway Golf, with Prototype Fusion Drivers, in the hands of Mickelson, Beem and Jobe and a Big Bertha(R) Titanium 454 Driver in the hands of one of the other pros.

In addition to his Prototype Fusion Driver, Mickelson played a Big Bertha 4-wood, Prototype Fusion 3-wood, Callaway Golf X-Tour(TM) Irons, Forged+ Wedges, an Odyssey(R) PM Prototype Putter and a new HX(R) Tour Golf Ball. Beem used a Prototype Fusion Driver, a new HX Tour Golf Ball, Big Bertha 4-wood, Ben Hogan(R) Apex(R) FTX(TM) Irons, a Bettinardi(R) Putter and a Hogan CFT Hybrid. Jobe used a Prototype Fusion Driver, a Callaway Golf X-Tour 2-iron, Ben Hogan Apex Edge(R) Pro Irons and a Hogan Tour Deep(TM) Golf Ball.

"The way I'm swinging, the way I'm driving the ball, I have a lot of confidence going into the Masters," said Mickelson, who improved his playoff record to 7-1, best in PGA Tour annals. "I was able to hit the type of tee shot I wanted, especially on the back nine and through the playoff -- a high, hard cut that was exactly what I was looking for going into Augusta."

Even with the prodigious distances Mickelson was driving it off the tee (he averaged 293 yards for the tournament), Beem often outdrove him, including on three of four playoff holes. Beem also led the field in greens in regulation in compiling his first PGA Tour top-10 finish since finishing second in the Western Open two years ago. Beem very nearly won the tournament on the first playoff hole, barely missing his birdie putt.

"You can't get away with giving a great player like Phil those kind of opportunities," Beem said. "But I'm pleased with the way I was striking the ball. I've been working really hard on my game and there are some good things happening."

The same is true for Jobe, who has nine International victories on his resume but is still looking for his first PGA Tour win. He very nearly had it yesterday after shooting a 67 to get into the playoff. He drove the ball beautifully, averaging 303.7 off the tee with his Prototype Fusion Driver, and played a nearly spotless tournament -- bogeying just two holes, birdieing 10 and parring the rest to lead the field in consistency.

Callaway Golf Company manufactures and sells golf clubs and golf balls, and sells golf accessories, under the Callaway Golf(R), Top-Flite(R), Odyssey(R) and Ben Hogan(R) brands. For more information, visit www.callawaygolf.com.

SOURCE: Callaway Golf Company

Callaway Golf Company Larry Dorman or Mike Galeski, 760-931-1771