Padraig Harrington has signed a three-year agreement with Wilson to play the latest Fat Shaft clubs on a global basis. The deal makes the Irishman the top Wilson Staff player world-wide and commits him to play Wilson game improvement equipment that is available to all club golfers.
The popular 29-year-old from Dublin will use the recently-launched RM Signature Fat Shaft irons that have placed him among the top four for a spot in the European team for the 2001 Ryder Cup at the Belfry. Now established as one of the world's leading players, he made an impressive Ryder Cup debut at Brookline last year, culminating in his defeat of Mark O'Meara in a high-pressure singles match.
"I am very happy to sign another contract with Wilson and play with the clubs that have helped my game so much," said Padraig. "I switched to using the new RM Signature Fat Shaft irons in September and a month later won a Tour title in Madrid with 17 under-par. So I know how good these clubs are and what confidence they give me in my game, especially when I'm in contention for a title," he added.
The RM Signature Fat Shaft irons are named after the respected club designer Robert Mendralla, who has been crafting top clubs for Wilson for the past 30 years. He has taken the proven Fat Shaft technology for average golfers a stage further for the benefit of better players. The new club has a shaft tip diameter of 0.450" (versus 0.370" standard) and provides the ultimate in accuracy for players who wish to work and shape the ball towards the green.
As well as using the same RM Signature Fat Shaft irons that are available in all leading golf shops, Padraig will wear the distinctive Wilson visor and carry the famous red-and-white Tour bag throughout all his rounds on the European Tour, in the major championships and at other top events around the world.
Padraig first signed for Wilson in1998, the year he won the Irish PGA Championship. Since then he has finished 29th, 7th and 7th again in the Volvo Order of Merit, earning almost £2m in prize money and rising to a world ranking of 24.
This year he has enjoyed success at both the Brazil Sao Paulo 500 Years Open and the BBVA Turespana Masters in Madrid and been among the best Europeans competing in the majors. He finished equal fifth in the US Open at Pebble Beach and within the top 20 at both The Masters and The Open.
His final statistics on the European Tour saw him reach sixth position in three areas - on the stroke average index with 70.33 shots, greens in regulation with 74% and putts/GIR with 1.746%.
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