Henrik Stenson signs with Callaway as Justin Rose re-ups with TaylorMade

Henrik Stenson headlines Friday’s gear news, as the 2013 FedExCup and Race to Dubai champion enlists with Callaway Golf.

Henrik Stenson, who rode Callaway fairway metals and irons to the 2013 FedExCup and Race to Dubai titles, made his ties with the Carlsbad company official when he announced on Friday that he signed a multi-year deal to continue using the clubs and employ the firm’s logo on his bag.

Callaway, which Thursday announced the addition of Harris English to its ranks, broke the news via Twitter, and in a coordinated effort, Stenson tweeted his response as well.

@CallawayGolf Glad to be onboard!
— Henrik Stenson (@henrikstenson) January 3, 2014

In other expected equipment news, reigning U.S. Open champion Justin Rose inked a five-year extension with TaylorMade. Vijay Singh also followed Cleveland Golf’s former chief executive, Greg Hopkins, to his new company, Hopkins Golf, and world No. 1 on the women’s tour Inbee Park agreed to continue playing Cleveland Golf/Srixon gear under a multi-year arrangement.

Rose, like Stenson, took to Twitter to announces his new pact.

Pleased to say that I have re-signed with @Taylormadegolf and ashworthgolf for another 5 years. http://t.co/44K9pHTCdQ
— Justin Rose (@JustinRose99) January 3, 2014

Stenson’s historic romp as the first player to win both PGA and European Tour honors ended as the unanimous choice as Euro Tour player of the year. The 37-year-old Swede credited the company that makes many of his sticks for his success, which included two PGA Tour wins, a runner-up finish at the British Open and a third-place result at the PGA Championship.

In addition to winning the DP World Tour Championship in November, Stenson closed six other Euro Tour events inside the top 10.

"After having the best season of my career to date in 2013 using Callaway irons and fairway woods, the option of extending my relationship with Callaway Golf was a very natural progression," Stenson said in a statement. "I look forward to continued success in 2014 being back as part of the Callaway family."

Stenson, who, in a fit of pique, snapped the head off his TaylorMade R1 driver at the BMW Championship, used several Callaway clubs last year, including a 13-degree Diablo Octane Tour fairway wood, 17-degree X Hot Pro fairway wood and Legacy Black irons (3-PW). Stenson will open his 2014 European Tour season at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship later this month and kick off his PGA Tour campaign at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship in February.

In winning the U.S. Open in June, Rose used a 9.5-degree R1 driver, 16.5-degree RBZ Stage 2 Tour HL 3-wood, RBZ Tour (3-6) and Tour Preferred MB irons (7-PW), ATV wedges (52, 56, 60 degrees), Spider Blade putter and Lethal ball.

Singh, who has used Cleveland wedges for years, will replace them with those from Hopkins and sport the firm’s logo on his visor and bag.

"It's not often that a start-up company signs a player of Vijay's caliber," said Hopkins, chair and CEO of the company, which claims 35 Champions Tour players using its wedges. "Vijay will not play equipment that doesn't perform, which by itself, says it all for our Hopkins wedges."

The 50-year-old Singh, who has made more news off the course, thanks to his deer antler spray controversy, than on it of late, plans to mix a few events on the senior circuit into his 2014 schedule.

"Greg Hopkins and I have made a good team for the past 15 years," he said in a statement. "Why stop now?"

As for the reigning LPGA Player of the Year, Park’s deal with Cleveland/Srixon includes balls, clubs, Cleveland wedges, gloves and a Srixon logo on her bag and cap.

"I am very excited to extend my relationship with Srixon," Park said in a statement. "They have provided me the best clubs, balls and other products."