Pros advice

Sergio Garcia & TaylorMade part ways

Sergio Garcia is a free agent after he “mutually agreed” to terminate his relationship with TaylorMade Golf.

TaylorMade released this years’ Master champion from the final years remaining on his contract, and the Spaniard will now seek pastures new.

The news does not come as a huge surprise to those in the industry. There have been whispers of Garcia possibly heading to Callaway, and speculation was further fuelled when Garcia used an Odyssey Toulon Design putter and Callaway wedges recently.

The move also makes sense for TaylorMade, which has a large investment in endorsement deals with tour players. With the sale of the company to KPS Capital Partners in May, the new owners might have wanted to shed some of that payroll.

For years Garcia carried the load as the company’s international icon, but with the addition of Rory McIlroy earlier this year, that role now seems to be filled. Garcia had been with TaylorMade since 2003, leaving Titleist to join the company, and during his time with TaylorMade, Garcia won 19 times internationally--including the Players and this year's Masters.