Bubba Watson chooses Oakley Performance golf footwear.

2012 Masters Champion Now Head-to-Toe Believer in Oakley Golf Innovation

FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif., January 22, 2014 – Oakley, Inc. today announced its premium golf footwear is the performance choice of famed pro Bubba Watson. Relying on the company’s renowned golf apparelsince he joined the Oakley roster of golf greats last year, the 2012 Masters Champion will now depend on the proven innovations of Oakley’s premium golf footwear as well.

“This further validates the tremendous effort we have put into reinventing possibility in the goal of creating the best golf products in the industry,” said Oakley CEO Colin Baden. “Our authenticity in the sport is proven every time players choose Oakley golf footwear and apparel because they share our passion for technology wrapped in style, and it is an honor to have a golfer of such caliber put his faith in our icon of innovation.”

Oakley’s Global Director of Footwear, Dave Ortley has worked closely with some of the top players in the game during the past 15 years, and he described the importance of Watson’s input during the development of Oakley’s new CarbonPRO™ 2 golf footwear.

“These guys view their footwear changes in much the same way they see any major equipment shift, so the off-season is always a critical window in terms of dialing in the performance, fit, comfort and design of a new product,” said Ortley. “Bubba’s feedback throughout the process was instrumental in helping our Design and Development Team build a better product, not just for Bubba’s use but really for any golfer that decides to make the same move away from another brand and toward the style and performance promise that brand Oakley is known to deliver.”

Watson spoke of his excitement for the company’s CarbonPRO 2 golf shoe, describing it as “phenomenal.” Said Watson, “When you swing the club upwards of 120-plus miles per hour, you need traction and stability. CarbonPRO 2 gives me both. It’s loaded with technology.”

Comfort is another criterion for Watson. “My footwear is a critical part of my equipment,” he noted. “I’m on my feet walking almost eight hours a day, so I need a shoe that is lightweight and durable with great cushioning for 18 holes of golf. The new CarbonPRO 2 is a lightweight tour shoe that feels good, looks good and performs to the highest levels.”

CarbonPRO 2 combines the comfortable flexibility of Oakley Coreflex™ Technology with the stability of Dynamic Motion Control to help eliminate lost swing energy. It features Red Code® Plus for better cushioning and responsiveness, along with Octostick to reduce the wasted energy of unnecessary foot movement. The Pins Cleat System keeps feet low to the ground for swing stability while optimizing traction.

Watson also depends on Oakley golf apparel, and he respects the performance edge offered by its freedom of movement and comfort. Oakley offers premium innovations including the moisture management of O Hydrolix™ technology. The company’s designs speak to Watson’s unique sense of style and originality while respecting the heritage of the game.

“Oakley’s attitude is to keep it fun, and for them, ‘fun’ is achieving breakthroughs nobody else even imagined,” added Watson. “With that much love for the game and that much technology making it even better, it’s a great time to be in the sport and an honor to be part of their family. I’m proud to be a head-to-toe Oakley athlete.”

A native of Florida, Gerry Lester “Bubba” Watson Jr. is one of the few left-handers on the PGA Tour. He was the 2012 Masters Champion and is one of the longest drivers on the tour, capable of generating ball speeds approaching 200 mph and achieving distances greater than 350 yards. Watson turned pro in 2001 and played on the Nationwide Tour until 2005. His first PGA Tour victory was in 2010, and his second came the following year. He has a career high of fourth place in the Official World Golf Ranking.

Oakley CarbonPRO™ 2

The CarbonPRO™ 2 is a tour shoe with pure performance built to withstand the rigors that elite level players such as Bubba Watson place on their equipment. It is designed to surpass the expectations of the best players in the world. The CarbonPRO™ 2 is lower that the rest and lighter than a Tour shoe has been known to be. The most technically advanced shoe Oakley has ever made. Recommended retail at R2000.

Visit Oakley.com to learn more about the company’s performance golf products for men and women.