AUGUSTA, Ga. – Looking to redefine his image both on and off the golf course, Jason Day switched his apparel to Malbon Golf during last year’s Masters. After years with renowned sports brands, Day sought a look that would spotlight his stylish side while playing. His debut outfit consisted of a bold white sweater vest bearing “No. 313. Malbon Golf Championship,” drawing attention and chatter among fans and golfers alike.
On the rain-delayed first day, partnered with Tiger Woods and Max Homa, Day decided to remove his rain jacket, sparking reactions. “I said, ‘Wait until you see what I have on underneath,’” Day remarked. The outfit created a buzz on social media but not all feedback was positive, prompting Augusta National to suggest a change for less conspicuous attire that afternoon. Yet, Day’s agent, Bud Martin, found relief as Day himself planned to forgo the vest due to warm weather, avoiding any awkward situation.
Behind Malbon Golf is creator Stephen Malbon, who applied his artistic approach from various subcultures like surfing and hip-hop to golf. With Day stepping into their gear, the brand saw a massive increase in exposure. “It had like 3 billion impressions those two days on the internet,” Malbon shared, highlighting the impact. Despite the attention, the response also revealed golf’s traditionalist critique, according to Malbon. However, he hopes that breaking into the golf fashion scene will sway a younger audience intrigued by fresh designs.
This brand concept emerged in 2017 to infuse youthfulness and style into golf attire. Day, having parted ways with Nike, matched well with Malbon’s vision, enjoying the freedom to personalize his clothing. “I was going to do my own custom clothes and Bud came to me and said, ‘What about this brand Malbon?’” Day explained. His bold choices have sometimes sparked mixed reactions, exemplified by gray sweats at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am that drew joking remarks.
Besides Day, Malbon Golf has since embraced other top athletes such as LPGA’s Charley Hull, known for her maverick attitude and flair for fashion. Minjee Lee and Nataliya Guseva also joined, each bringing unique styles to the brand’s lineup.
As the Masters return, Day and Malbon have fine-tuned their attire selections, ensuring compliance while maintaining Day’s unique style. There may have been discussions, but harmony was found. Day, who also holds ownership in Malbon, is keen on contributing to design elements, straddling the boundary between edgy and excessive.
“Jason believed in us early,” Malbon stated, with gratitude for the avenue Martin and Day opened. The collaboration has elevated the brand from a niche to mainstream recognition, showcasing golf can have a stylish twist. Finally, Malbon humorously acknowledged, “For better or for worse.”
Endeavoring to reshape golf’s visual appeal, both Day and Malbon are drawing attention to a sport that intersects traditional and modern fashion narratives.