Ricky Barnes - Callaway man.
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Ricky Barnes, the 2002 US Amateur champion, has signed a deal to play Callaway Golf equipment. Barnes, who makes his professional debut today in The International at Castle Pines, Colorado, will play Callaway Golf clubs and balls and use a staff in a move which could earn him millions of dollars if successful.
The 22-year-old will have six exemptions on the PGA Tour and is expected to play the protoype Callaway ERC Fusion driver (currently also being used by Nick Dougherty), the yet to be released HX Tour ball and eventually X-16 Pro Series irons.
"The driver looks and feels great and the ball is just what I've been looking for," says Barnes, who used the equipment at the Open Championship at Royal St George's.
Barnes was 21st and best-placed amateur at this year's US Masters and also shared 18th positipon at the Chrysler Classic of Tucson in February. He made the cut at the US Open, missing out on low amateur by a stroke, and also competed at the Scottish Open at Loch Lomond.
Barnes has also accepted invitations to play the Reno Tahoe-Open, the Deutsche Bank Championship and John Deere Classic and is considering several other offers. He is being represented by Gaylord Sports.
"I enjoyed college and amateur golf tremendously," said Barnes, who was a four-time All-American selection at the University of Arizona, "but this is a week I've been looking forward to for years. The International is an exciting place to start my career. This is going to be a great, new challenge but I feel I'm ready for it."
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