Augusta National asks major winner to remove ‘busy’ clothing at Masters

AUGUSTA, Ga. — While playing the Masters Tournament, Jason Day said Augusta National officials asked him not to wear a sweater vest with “Malbon Golf Championship” stitched across the front of it.

Day, the former world No. 1 and the 2015 PGA Championship winner, confirmed the club’s request on Saturday, one day after he played the completion of his Masters first round while wearing the vest; Day, who has an apparel deal with Malbon Golf, removed the vest for his second round later Friday. There’d been rumors that the club asked Day to take off the vest, and Day confirmed the after his third round.    

For clarity, here is the complete exchange between Day and reporters:

Reporter: “Have you heard any — is it OK with the green jackets, the designs and the things that you’ve been wearing? They can be a little bit restrictive.”

Day: “Are you talking about like Augusta in general? Yeah, they asked me to take it off — the vest off yesterday.”

Reporter: “The busy one?”

Day: “Yeah, the busy one. Respectfully, you do that because it’s all about the tournament here, and I understand that. I respect the tournament. That’s what we’re here to do is try and play and win the green jacket.”

Reporter. “Did they explain to you why they’d like you to take it off? The logo is too big?”

Day: “I don’t know. I didn’t ask. They said, can you take it off? I said, yeah, no worries.”

A GOLF.com message to Augusta National communications officials was not immediately returned on Saturday. Malbon Golf founder Stephen Malbon, meanwhile, said this in a text: “What makes The Masters so special and why we all love it are the traditions. Going into this week we scripted Jason in looks from our S/S 24 collection. By no means was our intent to disrespect the establishment. When Jason was asked to remove the vest. He did, no questions asked. Now let’s get back to watching golf.” 

On Friday, Day’s vest had created a stir online. The white, sleeveless piece with black trim had the following written on it: “No. 313” in red at chest level; “Malbon” in black at midsection level; “Golf” in red at midsection level; and “Championship” in black at midsection level. 

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But when he returned for his second round, it was gone, and Day was wearing a white polo. He told reporters he’d been following Malbon’s clothing scripting, but he said he was OK with removing the vest.  

Day began wearing Malbon this year, after a long relationship with Nike. Fans have commented on the baggier fit on Day’s pants, and that topic was also brought up Saturday. 

Reporter: “Jason, your attire is getting even more traction on social media, especially when you’re talking about being in the valleys and the wind was whipping and there’s a lot there to whip.”

Day: “Yeah, there really is (laughter). Kind of like if I’m down — if it’s down breeze, these things puff up pretty quick.”

Reporter: “Is it to the point where it affects how you feel golfing? Does it affect your balance at all? Is it hard to get accustomed to?

Day: “I don’t think so. Tiger [Woods] had baggier stuff on in the early 2000s. He did pretty good. I think it’s fine.”

Reporter. “Have you been receiving anything in your ear, either positive or negative, about it as you traverse?”

Day: “To be honest, I don’t really listen. I’m just trying to play as good as I can. Like I’ll hear every now and then, but I really don’t pay attention to it to be honest. I’m just trying to play good golf. That’s all that matters.”

Reporter. “Those are pants that are better suited for me than you just in terms of body types. Are they comfortable?”

Day: “They’re very comfortable. It feels like I’ve got nothing on really, to be honest.”