Moore's Scratch Golf deal offers part-ownership

PGA Tour professional Ryan Moore, who has made headlines as the tour's only "logo-free" player in recent years, has signed a deal with Scratch Golf in which he will not only use their equipment, but become part owner of the company.

A five-year tour pro, Moore takes over an equity ownership role with the company and has various performance incentives built into his contract. In exchange, he will use irons and wedges from Scratch Golf, while also wearing its logo on his clothing and golf bag.

Despite many offers, the recent Wyndham Championship winner did not previously have an endorsement deal for anything other than his golf ball and glove.

"He spent this year working with this equipment and trying to find what would help him win," said his father, Mike Moore, who along with Ryan's brother Jeremy helps run his son's business operations. "He really liked the vision and thought [Scratch Golf] was onto something that would be a good fit for him. He would not have signed with them if he didn't think they gave him the best opportunity to succeed."

Moore is currently competing at the WGC-HSBC Champions tournament in Shanghai and wasn't immediately available for comment. He opened with a first-round 6-under 66 for a share of second place, two strokes behind leader Nick Watney.

Currently 30th on the PGA Tour money list, Moore used Scratch Golf clubs in each of his last two U.S. appearances, finishing tied for seventh at the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open and tied for eighth at the Frys.com Open.

"He feels we give him the best opportunity to succeed and we feel that he will help us get our name out there," Ari Techner, president and CEO of Scratch Golf, said. "Having a spokesman out on the PGA Tour, carrying our bag and wearing our logo, being the face of the company, is really going to be important for us. We want to get our name out there. We don't do any traditional advertising. I'm not sure there's anyone else on tour we would have considered. It's really a win-win for everybody."

Techner said terms of the deal have yet to be finalized, but that Moore will have an "active" role with the company.

"It's not about money -- it wasn't going into the year and it isn't now," Mike Moore added. "It's about aligning himself with products that befit his game. ... He has a way that he enjoys looking and a way that he enjoys playing the game. He's a very unique individual and he feels it's important to be true to himself."

Ryan Moore is among the most decorated amateur players of the past half-century. While at UNLV in 2004, he won the U.S. Amateur, U.S. Public Links, NCAA championship, Western Amateur and Sahalee Players Championship. He also was a four-time NCAA All-America and low amateur at the 2005 Masters.

Jason Sobel covers golf for ESPN.com.