Ogilvy Ditched by Puma Golf, Turns Around and Defends Title
by Ryan Ballengee on Jan 11, 2010 10:40 AM EST
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PrintThe start of the week at Kapalua saw two major stories surrounding the tournament: Tiger's absence, which has become an annual tradition at the season-opener, and Geoff Ogilvy no longer sporting Puma wears. Puma dropped Ogilvy after not being able to reach an agreement with him.
Honestly, though, Ogilvy's bland personality really did not line up well with Puma's loud fashion sense, which I like. Puma is preferring instead to focus on Rickie Fowler, who looks like a 14 year old boy, and described himself to Rich Lerner in this month's Golf Digest as "boring." Don't let the lacrosse player haircut fool you, Fowler is as bland as it comes. At least Geoff Ogilvy offers some serious insight into course architecture and club specs.
Anyhow, the scorned Ogilvy lined up a shoe deal with FootJoy to go along with shifting his club deal to Titleist. His former club mast, Cobra, and the brands he now sports are all a part of the Acushnet family. Effectively, Ogilvy wound up with a simple switcheroo in replacing Puma. (He will also be wearing Travis Matthew shirts.)
Sam Greenwood/Getty Images
Ogilvy turned around and found a way to win the SBS Championship on Sunday for the second consecutive year. Perhaps he is taking over the dynasty from Stuart Appleby after a two year Australian absence in the winner's circle. Then again, Lucas Glover gifted him the title.
Still, the win means two in a row at Kapalua for Ogilvy. Again, the win will fuel speculation and debate about Ogilvy's place among the elites of the game. A reporter asked Ogilvy just how good he could be, which led to a curious response about his limitations.
"I haven't shown that I could do well when maybe my game is a little off. I think that's the signs of really great player," Ogilvy said. "Tiger has made a career out of winning tournaments. He has won a lot by 10. But he has won tournaments in the past that he shouldn't have. He found a way to win. I think I need to get to that sort of point."
The man too boring for Puma turns to a man who described his married life as such for inspiration on how to improve his game and demonstrate his greatness. With an open door, perhaps Ogilvy can walk through and claim a more than temporary place among the game's A-listers.
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Geoff Ogilvy a major story yes !!
Ryan why do you say Tigers absence is a major story as he hasn’t played kapalua in years ? Good info. on Ogilvy with the changes being made, I didn’t even know that. LOL shame on me. Puma must be kicking themselves now. Ogilvy has the talent to go places for sure. After watching him this week I can see some BIG improvements. Lets hope he keeps them.
"pain is only weakness leaving the body"
You have to like the maturity in Ogilvy’s answers after Sunday’s round. I really like that he was happy with finding out that he CAN come from behind, making birdies on the back 9 when he really needed them. I’m pulling for a good year from Ogilvy.
Ok – Tigers absense was not a major story – he hasn’t played the tournament in what…8 years ? If you don’t expect something and it doesn’t happen – it’s not really a story.
The clothes Ogilvy wears or doesn’t wear is a “major story” ? Dude – time for a night out with the guys. Go watch the Terps play some hoops and have a few beers. Not sure I could have made the connection between cloth body coverings on any man other than Ian Poulter and winning a golf tournament. :-)
Ogilviy is a mature father of (soon-to-be) three. Calling him “bland” is quite a stretch and just a little insulting. Rickie Fowler likes riding skateboards and motorcycles, 4-wheelers, and apparently a sooped up golf cart from Puma – but he isn’t exactly a ball of emotive fire on the golf course, either. Ogilvy likes surfing and was on the waves off of Maui…I doubt he was hitting the 20’ swells they had mid-week, but the guy surfs. He’s also a very funny guy when you talk to him. Puma is known for chasing young athletes. They went with their corporate direction – they didn’t take Ogilvy out to the dumpster and drop him in.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
Tiger’s absence was made into a way bigger story this week than it should’ve been because he just doesn’t play this event. He might again since his December event is now earlier in the month, but who knows.
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by Ryan Ballengee on Jan 11, 2010 11:06 AM EST up reply actions
That doesn’t make his absense a “major story”. Just because xxx Golf Channel….(trying to say this with a straight face) “experts” and a few boneheaded “journalists” wrote about it doesn’t mean they are right.
I’m older than you – I know 32 is young…but not to Puma. Personally, I thought most of the shirts Puma had him in last year looked silly – but he did the “Agent J” thing pretty well. (“you know the difference between you and me ? I make this look good.”) (what a great line !) :-) Ogilvy has the long and lean…but the wife and kids thing caught up with him.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
Trust me, it’s a major story, still – like it or not.
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by Ryan Ballengee on Jan 11, 2010 11:26 AM EST up reply actions
I'm told
There is a betting line available at “Binions Casino” as to the over / under of TW return. LOL I’ll have to check that out tomorrow and report back. Have laptop will travel.
"pain is only weakness leaving the body"
sorry RB – but you’re nuts (lol) Tiger was never going to play this tournament this week. He didn’t play it before he had his tournament in December. He didn’t play it when it was late in December….like he couldn’t play with 2-3 weeks off between that and Hawaii – and he’s not going to play it with his tournament in early December. It had nothing to do with the personal mess he’s in now. He’s not going to play before Torrey in any year unless he gets paid an oil well or two (or maybe a couple of floors in that new skyscraper) for Dubai.
Why aren’t you crawling all over Mickelnuts for not playing ? Or Henrik Stenson ???
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
It’s a story because this is the first tournament post-hydrant. For what it’s worth, Mickelson should be playing this thing and there was pretty good piece in Global Golf Post saying just that.
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by Ryan Ballengee on Jan 11, 2010 1:25 PM EST up reply actions
I’m calling the Enquirer and cancelling your subcription….and stay out of the fiance’s girly magazines – YES – that means no more Cosmo tests !! :-) I didn’t ask about GGP – I asked why YOU weren’t pounding on Phil. Answer ? Because Phil isn’t in the tabloids right now.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
I’ve pounded him before about it. Hell, I did earlier this week in the article bemoaning his and Woods’ absence. Short memory?
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by Ryan Ballengee on Jan 11, 2010 1:41 PM EST up reply actions
today’s Monday – earlier in the week ? (MY memory ??) :-P
I know you MENTIONED Mickelson not playing, but Tiger was front and center even though you knew he wasn’t going to be there.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
I mentioned both because both have been avoiding the tournament for several years despite both having won the thing twice.
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by Ryan Ballengee on Jan 11, 2010 1:57 PM EST up reply actions
Dude, Ogilvy is like 32. He’s still awfully young.
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by Ryan Ballengee on Jan 11, 2010 11:06 AM EST up reply actions
32 years of age
on the LPGA tour qualifies as grandma status not young. What ever happened to all those lpga youth movement articles that seemed to be churned out at least twice a month? Ah the golf media moved onto another meme, the lack of American tournaments with one or two small stops in between.
by Bill Jempty on Jan 11, 2010 11:42 AM EST up reply actions
I definitely wouldn’t call 32 old on the LPGA Tour. Cristie Kerr is in her mid 30s and playing better than most of the youngsters. Will say that there is a much higher percentage of players that are successful at a younger age on the LPGA Tour, though.
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by Ryan Ballengee on Jan 11, 2010 12:00 PM EST up reply actions
32 in golfing terms
usually means one is in the 2nd half of their career…not old, and not young either. Rory is young.
I wouldn’t say that’s second half quite yet. 36 is probably the beginning of the second half.
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by Ryan Ballengee on Jan 11, 2010 1:09 PM EST up reply actions
I wasn't counting the senior circuit..
like jack, I tend to think of it as ceromonial golf, great as it is.
Traditional thinking says that golfers don’t reach their prime until their mid-30’s. Tiger is a freak of nature, winning as early and often as he did in his 20’s.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
I also think VJ is a freak of nature
winning all that after 40. But I’d say on the whole, pros don’t win much after 40.
I will miss seeing...
Lord Geoff (isn’t he a lord or some kind of royalty?) in PUMA. It gave him an edge that was appealing.
Dumped Ogilvy to consentrate on Rickie Fowler?
Talk about buying a pig in a poke….
Gawdamity,
if you consider 32 old, that makes me older than dirt…creak,creak, yes, I did notice some noises as I got out of bed this morning…And if you take women (and who wouldn’t want to)…at 30, their just in their prime….I read an article one time I think in a financial magazine (scoff, scoff, wink,wink) that at 24, a man started to go down hill…just sayin you understand…Sorry, some of the stuff Puma is putting out looks like last weeks garbage wrap..Easing…I told you to check out the Titleist stuff…that AP2 is awful nice..STUB
Puma vs Titleist ? Have to agree with you on the look of the Puma stuff (personal taste, of course) – but wearing that AP2 stuff is too stiff for me…even with graphite shafts. It just doesn’t breath very well…and in this cold weather, the shafts stick to your skin. ;-D
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
I had Titlest irons, old DCI's...
and a local Pro let me try his new Titlests…fine clubs, but the ’09’s for me were on another level
Puma vs. Titleist pt.2
Could it be Puma is trying to appeal to a younger crowd? If you consider that at age 50, a pro’s regular tour career is over (with a few notable exceptions) and a big stat is wins in the 40’s, then the 30’s are the most productive years for a pro. So you could say 32 is getting on in “golf years”. Courtgolf (above) punched in with this same idea before I could post. Great minds think alike!
Golf gear is so much better now if
you are fit. They are tight fitting, like the ’50’s and early ’60’s. I have a Puma shirt, and it’s ok when I am in shape( I’m on a diet now). I shudder when I think of Calcavecia wearing his 3 sizes too big shirts for his gut and the short sleeves almost cover his watch !
you’d prefer Calc in a shirt three sizes too SMALL for his gut ?
forget Calc – his wife looks phenomenal in a sun dress !
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
Hey Now easing !!!!
Easy now, Me and Calc. go way back.. I’m telling that you said that about him. hahaha j/k
You are correct about the sleeves covering his watch.. Now thats funny. ^ 5’s
"pain is only weakness leaving the body"
Who dumped who ?
GO plays here at WR, and the scuttlebut is Titleist offered him 2 contracts(clubs and clubs/apparel),… A & A+ if you will. Puma wouldn’t match the A+ Titleist offering so it was adios Puma. They’re a bit more renegade than even Nike, so Fowler is a better match. Psycologigical differences I guess. I know GO is very content, and why not.. He’s a father of 3,..let’s leave the skate-boarding image to young Fowler. He looks the part. FYI,…I love this kids game and his politeness, but it’s his youthful image that appeals to Puma. They’ll market him as a little differently than they did GO, which was very little marketing indeed. It’ll work for Puma. We’re already bing asked about the “Fowler” Puma golf shoe by the younger fellas. Titleist,…..??? they got what they wanted, a nice fit. Cobra is left with JB Holmes and Poulter, a couple of character guys that fit their image too. Funny how it’s all Acushnet anyway, but they’re niche marketing the stable very well I’d say………Z.
you're still away,...choke on it !
It worked well for Acushnet – closing down Cobra really surprised me. Cobra could be the tip of the technology sword for them, leaving Titleist to be the stable, traditional giant that everybody knows…and after a year or two of testing, Titleist would put the “new” technology into their clubs while Cobra was playing with the latest and greatest ideas.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
Remember, Cobra’s brand isn’t going away. It’s just that their Tour budget is slashed to basically nothing. You can still buy Cobra sticks. They’ll be at the PGA show.
From what I have heard RE: Puma, they got rid of him because he didn’t fit their style. Not edgy enough.
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by Ryan Ballengee on Jan 11, 2010 1:59 PM EST up reply actions
ah – well that’s good news. I heard they were closing the doors on Cobra.
somehow I doubt being told by Puma that he’s not “edgy” enough hurt Ogilvy’s feelings a whole lot. He’s a top 10 player – maybe top 5 – I’m sure he had his pick of clothing companies for “old fogies”. :-)
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
I don’t think it bothered him from a feelings standpoint. The guy’s a marquee player, but I’m sure it didn’t hurt in motivating him.
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by Ryan Ballengee on Jan 11, 2010 2:38 PM EST up reply actions
I’ve had the pleasure of talking to Ogilvy, and sat in on some interviews here in Atlanta. I’d bet that he would give us an “are you out of your mind” look if we asked him if he was more motivated to win last week and this season because Puma decided not to renew his contract.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
I would disagree given Ogilvy’s admitted problem with temper and his own self-doubt about his failure to consistently demonstrate he’s one of the best players. There’s a good exchange about that in the transcript after he won on Sunday.
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by Ryan Ballengee on Jan 11, 2010 2:55 PM EST up reply actions
If he needed motivation defending a title,
he has a problem. When someone wins, a story is changed to suit the result. I don’t think the Puma thing had any bearing on the result.
Again, read what Ogilvy said in his interview after winning. He was asked “how good could you be?” and he pointed directly at his failure to live up to hype and expectation. That leads me to believe that a slight on his ability or marketability as a golf superstar would add fuel to the fire. Not saying he lacked motivation here. That’s a stupid insinuation.
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by Ryan Ballengee on Jan 11, 2010 3:00 PM EST up reply actions
You mentioned motivation in your 11 38 post
and that it ( Puma) might have helped him play harder. I’m simply disagreeing with that…I was just saying that he was “up” for defending his title as he could be anyway.
what’s the link to the new site that is posting interviews ? they aren’t on ASAP anymore. I had to restore my computer this morning and lost that address.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
At least for this week, it was http://sportstranscripts.com. They did an awful job.
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by Ryan Ballengee on Jan 11, 2010 11:58 PM EST up reply actions
Pay attention Court
Puma would not match the Titleist/Acushnet clothing offer so it was a joint effort that the contract wasn’t renewed. Truthfully, GO isn’t a Puma guy. He’s about as “vanilla” as they come, and I mean that in a good way. I’m not sure if he accepted the T/A clothing but he’s been away from here for awhile. He’d be a great contract for Cutter & Buck with his lanky build. However I don’t think they can pay him what Acushnet can, so bet on him staying with T/A. Cobra’s not going antwhere. JB Holmes is gonna sell them plenty of drivers. Also, over in Long Drivers of America Jason Zubac continues to launch 400 yd rockets using Cobra . It’s almost a cult thing in long drive,…Cobra that is.Now those guys can really “hammer” the ball. Un-freakin-believable numbers they put up. 150 mph swing speeds and 220 mph ball speeds equal 400 plus drives, and a lot of them use Cobra……………………….Z.
you're still away,...choke on it !
he isn’t wearing Acushnet company clothes – not sure what you’re talking about. He WAS a Puma guy – where do you think those silly polka dot shirts came from ? You’re right that Acushnet likes their guys to be head to toe – but he wasn’t with their clothing line the last few years – he’ll be able to decide where he wants to go now.
and Zubac could hit 400 yard drives with a broom handle and a frying pan. :-D
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
He’s going to wind up wearing Travis Mathew clothes, but wear FootJoy shoes and gloves.
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by Ryan Ballengee on Jan 11, 2010 11:59 PM EST up reply actions
you're such a clothes horse :-D
is that a prediction or has this come from his people ? he wore the Travis Matthews clothes at the SBS, but not under contract.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
Style vs personality !
GO never was a good look for Puma given his laid back style. He’s a “vanilla” guy, where Fowler is a little more sizzle which has more appeal to Puma’s demographic. As for the “frying pan”, there’s a lot more technology and a lot less brawn that goes into long drive these days. A 21 yr old kid named Jamie Sadlowski (Adams golf) has won the ReMax world championship the last two years. ALL 175 ILBS OF HIM. He played Cobra in 08 & Adams in 09..The long drive guys leave no stone unturned looking for every “inch” they can get. Cobra has been involved with Zubac for 12 yrs. so they know a thing or two about what it takes to take it “DEEP”…………………Z.
you're still away,...choke on it !
‘splain dat one, Lucy. Fowler and Ogilvy are both long and lean – which is what Puma likes hanging their clothes on. Fowler looks like a girl with the hair…though I’m sure he’ll change that before too long.
Did you mean “fit”, not “look” ? Ogilvy is a family man who knows that his career is as a professional golfer. Fowler is just figuring things out, but his past has more of the modern hobbies. As an interview, Ogilviy has it all over Fowler. Fowler isn’t another Michelle Wie – and he isn’t going to make you think Keanu Reeves – he’s above that level – but not a whole lot.
Fowler is new – that’s about it. He hasn’t figured out that he won’t be able to ride motocross bikes or do as much of the daredevil stuff he did as a kid now that he’s a professional golfer. But “new” always wins with companies like Puma. That’s the market they try to appeal to.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
Court are you Dyslexic or something !
Dude,…pay attention here ! Fowler is 5’-9" in his spikes,…that’s “long and lean” ??? GO is maybe 6’-3" or so, so how on earth are they “both long and lean” ? Am I going to fast for ya son (ala Foghorn Leghorn) LMAO. GO isn’t really into splashy “anything”. He’s vanilla, and no offense intended. Fowler lwill look better in the crazy graphics that Puma has out. GO, he’s a pinstripe and button down collar guy. Puma obviously wants the younger, single dempgraphic. Which GO clearly is not. He’s a soon to be father of three and I know he’s a family oriented guy(vanilla ?) Tiger, are you listening here? From what I hear GO is gonna make a bit more under the T/A contract IF he chooses the apparel. No word on that as far as I know. I still like him with C/B but they don’t have the cash to toss around these days. At any rate,…young Mr. Fowler doesn’t sit very high in the saddle, so I don’t know how you compare the two physically as “long and lean” !
you're still away,...choke on it !
I'm sure there's a point in there somewhere...
skinny kid – long arms and legs – sorry – long and lean was all I could come up with…so he’ll never be a runway model…even with the hair.
I believe I’ve made the point about his age AND his family a couple of times – who’s not paying attention ?
You do realize that Ogilvy is a surfer – don’t you ? Why do people assume that these guys are the same off the course as they are on ?
do you talk to your students the way you talk on here ? you got all that rant out of Rickie Fowler not being very tall ?
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
No rant here Court,...just settin' the record straight.
No, he’ll never be a runway model. Now that’s accurate. Down here we call long and lean “sittin tall in the saddle”. At only 5’-9" tall,…I wouldn’t call Fowler that either. He’s closer to a jockey, lol. The kid can play though,and I like his style. I like GO’s style too, and actually I have seen him surf. He sucks, but not as bad as I do. I’m a little too tall on the board, and my lean days aren’t what they used to be. At any rate, Fowler’s gonna surprise some people this year. He’ll get a W this year, no matter what he wears. Obviously GO already is in the win coloumn.
you're still away,...choke on it !
How about that – I always thought that “sittin’ tall in the saddle” meant how he rode – with pride, swagger…that kind of thing – not just how tall he was.
You think a Fowler win will be a surprise ? He’s already at the top of the hype ladder for rookies, and he held is own against the second tier last Fall. I agree with you – he could very well get a win in his rookie season.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
Court
There’s a few Tour rookies who look good to me, but Fowler is a" true rookie" in that this will be his first full year as a professional, given he turned pro last fall. This kid Michael Sim has been around on Nationwide and he’s got plenty of game. Good crop of new guys in 2010. Let’s not forget McIlroy either.
you're still away,...choke on it !
Ogilvy is one of the VERY FEW pros
who gives an interesting interview. I’d like to see Feherty and him chat it up on-air.
Court,
ya really, really need a vacation…get out of the cold and snow, take a little R &R maybe the Caribbean some where…Ah, the gentle sound of waves on the hull, just enough sway to make you sleepy, fishing pole in one hand Miller Genuine Draft in the other…Hey, watch that old fogies stuff…STUB
yes – you’re probably right – getting cabin fever from this inch of dusty snow that just won’t go away ! Hey – Atlanta just doesn’t deal very well with anything not dry and sunny. (lol) Can’t even go visit my brother in Ft Myers – they’re still getting lows in the 30’s.
"this ball will fit in that fairway"
I was eyeing airfare to St. Martin this morning.
Of course, I will skip the MGD for something like Presidente or even Carib. Too bad I can’t take my own beer there.
by Charles Boyer on Jan 11, 2010 3:16 PM EST up reply actions
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