On Friday, the Masters asked Jason Day to remove his Malbon sweater vest.
That, in my mind, was absolutely uncalled for. The Masters singled out Day and Malbon, and they should issue an apology for doing so.
Sure, optically the insubordinate garment wasn’t the most appealing. Most golf fans weren’t too thrilled with the look. (I’m on the fence, I don’t love it but don’t hate it.)
But the optics of the Masters dictating what Day can wear, especially when other golfers are plastered with logos and brands, are far worse than that of the actual Malbon vest.
I’m not one for smear campaigns but I can’t fathom a world in which the Masters can ask one single player to change their attire. And unless there’s some rulebook that I’m not privy to (I’m not one of the good ol’ boys), I don’t understand how Day’s Malbon vest broke any rules.
The only “explanation” that’s been offered is that the advertisement of the “Malbon Golf Championship” was too large.
You’re telling me that if Tony Finau wore something with a larger NIKE swoosh that the Masters would have an issue? What about Tiger Woods wearing Sun Day Red head to toe? Certainly a field of golfers who all look like walking billboards are no more egregious than Day and Malbon?
Nothing about the vest was vulgar or inappropriate. The garment itself fits well within the rules of appropriate golf attire. Yet the Masters still told Day to remove it.
A Bigger Problem
Perhaps I’m overreacting but Day and Malbon being singled out amid a sea of blatant advertising and other visually unappealing apparel and accessories is flat-out unfair. And, in my opinion, discriminatory.
Had Day been wearing any brand other than Malbon, a brand that’s labeled as a disrupter and trends more towards streetwear, I highly doubt the Masters would have even flinched. But when the green jackets of Augusta see something that in any way “disrupts” the tradition of golf, apparently it makes them a little queasy.
But that’s not a conversation y’all are ready to have. It’s part of Augusta National’s DNA.
Heaven forbid someone wear something that’s considered fashion-forward. Malbon is cool. Augusta National is not. So they decided to make an example of Day rather than even attempt to adapt to the changing tides of golf attire.
The entire thing shines a light on the ugliest parts of the game of golf. Discrimination, exclusivity and elitist attitudes run rampant, still. And the Masters is perhaps one of the biggest perpetrators.
A Win for Malbon
Despite the big “L” by the Masters, Malbon is still the winner of this whole ordeal.
Similar to NIKE when Jordan’s red and black Air Ship was banned by the NBA, Malbon will ultimately do their part to capitalize on the positive and negative press surrounding the situation. The allure and story behind the “banned” NIKE shoes made them extremely popular and sought-after.
If Malbon is smart, they’ll do their best to create the same kind of curiosity and infamy with their Malbon Golf Championship vest. And, to some extent, they already have.
My hope is that the golf media can make a positive example out of Malbon and, hopefully, just maybe the old guard at the top may start to rethink their actions.
Until then, though, the Masters both Day and Malbon an apology. Sadly, that will never come.
For those interested in picking up the “banned” vest, you can buy it now from Malbon.
Joe Santiago
5 days ago
Jason Day wore the clothing because he is under contract to the company. That said, the Masters has a ton of tradition that it prefers to maintain like the all white attire at Wimbledon. It is an exclusive and private club that operates under its own rules. Therefore, it is within its structure to mandate what it sees fit within its bylaws, archaic or not. Sorry Jason, but both the pants and vest were ugly to the extreme. Maybe the attire will catch on soon in other venues, but give the Masters time.