Graphite Design International ("GDI") announces its shafts were used by 18 PGA TOUR players en route to tournament victories in 2005, and that its popular YS-6 model was the most-played driver shaft on TOUR for the third straight year, according to the Darrell Survey.

GDI shafts were the most played in weekly manufacturer and brand counts for graphite wood shafts on the PGA TOUR 16 times this year, racking up 11 driver shaft wins along the way. Plus, TOUR leaders in total driving (distance plus accuracy) and driving-accuracy percentage consistently played GDI shafts.

The announcement caps a banner year for the San Diego-based company that has helped the world's best players amass more than $75 million in earnings, topping even last year's impressive mark of $60 million.

Other highlights from the 2005 regular season include GDI shafts being played by:

- Four of the top-10 money leaders on the PGA TOUR

- Five of the top-10 players in Driving Accuracy Percentage

- Several top-10 players in the World Golf Rankings

GDI also finished with a flurry of success on the Japan PGA TOUR, where the winner and two other top-five finishers in the season-ending Golf Nippon Series JT Cup relied upon GDI shafts in their drivers and fairways woods. This marked GDI's 16th win on the Japan PGA TOUR in 2005 and its 106th straight manufacturer and brand count win for wood shafts, an unprecedented streak dating back to 2002.

"We are extremely proud of GDI's performance on the PGA TOUR and other professional tours this year," said Akio Karashima, CEO of GDI. "It validates that the world's best players prefer GDI shafts because their technologically-advanced design and construction helps these players realize greater distance and accuracy from their golf shots."