Here’s one that seems to come out of nowhere, but Srixon/Cleveland and Brooks Koepka have mutually agreed to part ways.
A press release from parent company Srixon/Cleveland Dunlop Sports Americas says the separation is effective immediately.
“Brooks has served as an outstanding brand ambassador for the Srixon and Cleveland Golf brands,” the release said. “His commitment to competing at the highest level of the game, including a major championship win with Srixon and Cleveland Golf equipment in play, exemplifies the standard of performance that both brands stand for.”
Koepka signed a multi-year deal with Srixon/Cleveland at the end of 2021. His first career event as a brand ambassador was a made-for-TV grudge match against Bryson DeChambeau a few days later in Las Vegas.
How it started and how it ended
Koepka was an employee of Nike until that company exited the golf equipment business in 2016. From that point until the Srixon/Cleveland deal was signed, he was a free agent. Koepka played Mizuno irons until early 2021 when, out of contract, he switched to a set of Srixon ZX7 irons. He won the Phoenix Waste Management Open that February with those Sirxons in the bag.
During that year, Srixon developed a ball specifically for Koepka, which became the Srixon Z-STAR Diamond.
Seven months after signing the deal with Srixon/Cleveland, Koepka was among the first players to leave the PGA and join LIV. He had knee surgery during the 2021 season and has struggled with injuries. He admitted that the nine-figure offer from LIV was too good to pass up.
“I’ll be honest with you, I signed for the dough,” Koepka said BS with Jake Paul podcast last October. “Tomorrow I can go get in a car accident and stop playing golf and have my family taken care of.”
Koepka left the LIV earlier this year under the PGA’s readmission program.
Where does Koepka go from here?
A very big winner with significant notoriety would be a good prize for any OEM. Koepka, however, is a different kind of cat. He could sign with McLaren (we haven’t heard anything to confirm that, though. It’s pure speculation), or he could remain a free agent and play what he wants.
We’re not sure if there were cracks in his Srixon/Cleveland relationship, though Koepka obviously switched from his Srixon ball to a starter shortly before The Masters.
Where he ends up, if anywhere, will be a story worth watching.
