Jason Day Becomes First PGA Tour Player to Sign With Malbon Golf
New year, new ‘fit: Jason Day is the latest player to make an apparel sponsorship switch ahead of the 2024 PGA Tour season, and his new look is a far cry from the Nike scripting he has donned for the past seven seasons. The Australian is set to turn heads this year as he’ll be outfitted by Malbon Golf, the lifestyle brand known for its streetwear-inspired designs and vintage aesthetic.
Day will be the first Malbon Golf-sponsored PGA Tour player since the brand’s inception in 2017. That is the same year Day signed his multi-year partnership with Nike Golf, which concluded at the end of last year.
Stephen Malbon—the co-founder of the company along with wife Erica—says they first connected through a mutual friend on Tour who is still sponsored by Day’s old apparel brand: Tony Finau. While inquiring about Finau’s plans for 2024, the entrepreneur happened to hear that Day was on the verge of being a “free agent” in the apparel world.
From there, the finalization of a partnership between Day and Malbon was smooth, especially after the two parties realized that they aligned on a number of perspectives. First, Malbon was impressed with Day’s on- and off-course demeanor, and thought his personality would be a perfect fit for the Malbon brand.
“What I like most about Jason is his vulnerability and his openness with real-life normal stuff. He’s eager to put himself out there and be who he is respectfully, but at the same time, he’s not very scripted,” Malbon says about the former world No. 1. “I love it. It’s so relatable and awesome.”
As the clothing company has grown throughout the last several years, one common theme remains: The brand seeks to push the boundaries of what is considered traditional “golf attire.” Hoodies, baggy pants, linen shirts and kilties on golf shoes are centerpieces among the company’s offerings. According to Malbon, Day shares the same mission when it comes to expanding golf’s attitude toward how one is “supposed” to dress on the course. The founder wants to encourage golfers to show their personality in their fashion, and seek comfort and creativity rather than conformity.
“[Jason] is texting me from Hawaii right now and just saying, ‘Dude, everyone looks the exact same,’” Malbon said.
“I’ve never understood why if you play golf, you have to wear golf pants,” Malbon continues. “What about slacks? Jason is very into comfort and trying new things. He’s into wearing resort linens, not just synthetic, polyester, dry-fit-type workout clothes.”
In terms of what fans can expect Day to be wearing this season on the PGA Tour, Malbon insists that traditional styles will still be a part of his wardrobe and that performance fabrics are readily available for scorching hot summer days.
Plus, Malbon is working closely with Day to ensure that all of the pieces perform well during tournaments. For example, this week in Hawaii, Malbon says that Day requested his long-sleeve pullovers have an elastic band installed in each of the cuffs. The major champion likes to roll up his sleeves when he plays with layers on. Malbon is all for making adjustments when necessary and prioritizing practicality. Once those changes are made, Malbon is excited about how Day will be able to experiment with his personal style as a brand ambassador.
“There’s quarter zips, there’s vests, there’s slacks, there’s polos. But I think he’s going to wear it a little different then mix in fun collaborations and loud pieces from time to time. He’s going to really push the envelope in what he wears to the golf course and after golf, as well as what he’s wearing on the course for five hours,” Malbon says.
Malbon references Allen Iverson’s fashion influence on the NBA when sharing his hopes for how off-course style might become a more important consideration for professional golfers.
Is this the year that the PGA Tour embraces the NFL and NBA’s “tunnel entrance” craze?
“When I see guys walk into tournaments with their gym clothes with paparazzi on them, it’s like, ‘Who let them come in like that?’ It’s such a great opportunity to show who you are,” Malbon says. “If you only know Jason Day from wearing dry-fit Nike for the last seven years, he doesn’t even seem human. There’s so much more to him.”
Don’t expect Malbon’s venture into professional sponsorships to stop with Day. Charley Hull and Jeongeun Lee6 will wear Malbon’s women’s line on the LPGA Tour this year, and Jesper Parnevik, 58, will sport the apparel, too. The streetwear movement has officially arrived in the pro game.