You know golf is changing when one of the biggest stories from a major championship is ‘pro golfer asked to remove sweater vest by host club.’ Whether you’re a fan or Malbon Golf or not, it’s hard to argue that the brand’s marketing strategy was anything less than a rollicking success. All you have to do is search “Jason Day” on Google where related results include “Malbon Golf”, “Sweater”, “Sweater Vest” and “2024 Masters Tournament.”
Going back to the second day of 2024, the brand which started with a small storefront on Fairfax Avenue announced an important step, earning the signature of former world number one Jason Day to be its representative in professional golf. Although not the force he was in past years, the Aussie was always willing to push the boundaries when it came to style. Day began his career as an adidas athlete and then signed with Nike in 2017, embracing some of the Swoosh’s more progressive footwear offerings like the AJ1 Golf and ruffling a few feathers in the process.
All of which is to say: the change in Day’s wardrobe from Nike’s form-fitting quarter-zips to Malbon’s slouchy cardigans was stark. But it was a sorely needed shift even if not every outfit was warmly received. Nevertheless, Jason Day (with the help of founder Stephen Malbon and creative producer Luke Garner) got off plenty of fits throughout the season, and these were our ten favorites.
AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am - Round One
The Crosby Collection, a collaboration between Malbon, adidas and the Crosby estate, was designed to evoke the feeling of mid-century Palm Springs, and Day wore the collection head-to-toe (bar shoes and hat) at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am. It was a fitting choice given that Crosby founded the event in 1937. We enjoyed the netted stitch of the yellow sweater matched with the chunky wool pants.
The Memorial Tournament presented by Workday - Previews
Time and again practice round days delivered some of our favorite Jason Day fits throughout the year thanks in large part to the PGA TOUR policy of allowing shorts. The pattern on the shorts does the talking and the solid black polo is just along for the ride.
RBC Heritage - Round One
The windowpane print on this polo is the same one from the shorts above and was one of Malbon’s best selling products throughout the year. Day styled it with standard fitting chino pants, a braided belt and his prototype PAYNTR shoes, but those AKILA sunglasses are what really brings it all together.
The Masters - Preview Day Two
The Championship Vest may have stolen the headlines at the Masters, but this green sweater is a sleeper. For starters, it won’t get you dressed down by the ANGC authorities, but it still has plenty going on. The intarsia knit is a nice touch and the two hoops around the right arm is a bit of unexpected asymmetry.
Wells Fargo Championship - Round Two
Out for a day on the catamaran or competing in a professional golf tournament? Barring the shoes, the Aussie wouldn’t have looked out of place alongside Ben Hogan in 1950s and yet it turned out to be one of the most controversial fits all year. More than anything, we just like how comfy our guy looks.
THE PLAYERS Championship - Preview Day Two
One the more subdued looks that Jason wore in 2024, this outfit doesn’t look like much from afar but there’s a lot more going on if you take a closer look. We love the relaxed fit of the plaid wool trousers and how they pair with the braided leather belt.
FedEx St. Jude Championship - Round Two
The white camp collar shirt that Day wore at THE PLAYERS made another appearance late in the season. This time Malbon scripted him in beltless searsuckers pants, a style that’s no stranger to menswear but less familiar to golf. Shout out to PAYNTR, Day’s footwear sponsor, for providing him with matching shoes (check out the blue midsoles).
2024 PGA Championship - Round Two
Performance isn’t exactly what people have come to expect from Malbon, but the brand wanted to change that perception in 2024, and having an athlete competing on tour provided the right opportunity. Day went for all white in this instance, forgoing a traditional polo for a blade collar shirt with raglan sleeves.
The Genesis Invitational - Round Three
Pretty much anything Malbon does is met with support by its fans, but even the Preserve Collection’s $400 USD price tags generated a few raised eyebrows. Day teased the collection at the Genesis Invitational before its release – a pattern for Malbon in 2024 – and the athletic look was a change of pace.
2024 PGA Championship - Preview Day Two
Another practice round success, before the start of the PGA Championship Jason Day wore a matching windbreaker and drawstring shorts from the Malbon Performance Line, the brand's first foray into activewear. The soft lavender color was a real hit and sold out once the collection was released to the public in late May. Also, let’s take a moment to appreciate those chiseled quads.
Click here to view full gallery at Hypebeast
