Mizuno Golf announces 2019 Tour Team

Chris Kirk joins and Pepperell, Donald, Glover and Fisher extend Mizuno deals.

Mizuno has announced the next chapter of its quiet revolution on tour – with the signing of Chris Kirk and contract extensions for Eddie Pepperell, Luke Donald, Lucas Glover and Oliver Fisher.

Despite reaping a number of ‘non contracted’ tour wins and majors by players using Mizuno irons in 2017/18, Mizuno is keen to balance that with an official pool of players.  Chris Kirk, an established four-time PGA Tour winner, gives a more US orientation to a PGA Tour staff that has often had a strong UK influence.  Having played Mizuno equipment in 2018, Kirk also stands up to Mizuno’s standards for authenticity within its ambassadors.

We approach our sponsorships from a slightly different angle – rather than just highlighting equipment usage, we’re looking to build longevity and authenticity in everything that we do.  We are very fortunate in that we have tour players using Mizuno equipment by choice, so we can recruit ambassadors who have a connection to our clubs first.  Chris Kirk is a great example of that – he’s comfortable playing Mizuno already, the deal allows us to have that conversation in the open.

Jeremy Galbreth, Mizuno.

Mizuno is also ready to accelerate its profile within the metal wood market – another area where its ambassadors have a role to play.

Chris Kirk is from the Atlanta area, where Mizuno US are based, which makes him a great sounding board for new product ideas, prototypes and especially woods.  With the ST190 series, Mizuno has already taken its first steps back to the pinnacle of the metal wood game, and we’re recruiting the players who can help us build that legacy.

Chris Voshall, Senior Engineer.

Eddie Pepperell has extended his Mizuno arrangement through 2019. (Getty Images)

Pepperell, Donald and Glover gave proof of that change early in 2019 – all showing up with Mizuno’s new drivers in play.  Add to that Keith Mitchell who had the ST190 in his bag by October 2018, and there is compelling evidence.

We’re making plans for the long term.  Mizuno has been manufacturing and selling golf equipment since 1933 – staggering longevity for a manufacturer that so relevant today.   That means working with the right group of players – who value working with us and can add something to the development process.  Signing big cheques to players who have never touched one of our clubs before – is a short term play that doesn’t work at Mizuno.

Jeremy Galbreth

Luke Donald announced his extension with Mizuno at the Orlando Golf Show. With Senior Engineer, Chris Voshall.

#teammizuno 2019

Eddie Pepperell, Luke Donald, Chris Kirk, Keith Mitchell, Adam Schenk, Lucas Glover, Oliver Fisher, Jhonattan Vegas.  More from the tour.