Apparel brand Malbon Golf raised nearly $28 million from two undisclosed investors, which is over 12 times more than the company had previously raised, according to regulatory filings.
The almost $28 million is part of a larger planned equity raise that seeks $43 million in total, according to a Monday U.S. Securities and Exchange filing. Previously, Malbon Golf raised a little over $2 million from one investor in 2023.
The company was founded in 2017 by Stephen Malbon and his wife, Erica, who sought to shift some long-held trends in golf. “We’re a lifestyle brand inspired by golf, similar to how Ralph Lauren is inspired by polo,” Malbon told Front Office Sports earlier this year. “But most people who wear Ralph Lauren, historically, have never played polo.” Malbon clothing is much flashier than the traditional staid golf attire.
Malbon received notoriety in 2024, when pro golfer Jason Day left Nike to sign with the company and wore a vest in the second round of the Masters Tournament that read “Malbon Golf Championship” in extra-large print. Augusta National asked him to remove the vest (Augusta is famously conservative when it comes to player attire). The following year, Day and Malbon, his sponsor, sent the clothing he would be wearing, including during practices, to Augusta National ahead of the tournament, to make sure it was O.K. “Yeah, there was a back-and-forth,” Malbon told FOS at the time.
On the women’s side, LPGA golfers Charley Hull and Jeongeun Lee play in Malbon garb. Additionally, the company has done collaborations with many well-known brands, from Coca-Cola and Budweiser to Adidas and TaylorMade, the latter of which makes golf equipment and apparel.
Over the summer, Shop Eat Surf Outdoor reported the company was nearing $100 million in revenue, and that up to 35% of its sales come from international markets, and more specifically, Asia.
Malbon is not the only retailer that works with golfers and has raised money this year. In February, Detroit-based Greyson Clothiers—which works with golfers including Justin Thomas and Erik van Rooyen—raised $20 million from a group of investors that included Thomas, as well as other celebrities such as singer Justin Timberlake and former NFL Pro Bowler Larry Fitzgerald.
A representative for Malbon did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
