End of the partnership: Brooks Koepka separates from Srixon/Cleveland

One day before the start of the Cadillac Championship in Miami, Dunlop Sports Americas, the parent company of Srixon and Cleveland Golf, ended an era with a short, professional press release on April 30, 2026: Brooks Koepka is no longer a brand ambassador for the Japanese equipment brands. The collaboration, which began in the fall of 2021, was terminated by mutual agreement, according to both parties - effective immediately.

"Brooks has served as an exceptional brand ambassador for Srixon and Cleveland Golf," reads the official statement from Dunlop Sports Americas. "His commitment to playing at the highest level - including winning a major with Srixon and Cleveland equipment - epitomized the standard of performance that both brands stand for. Dunlop Sports Americas is proud of what we have achieved together and grateful for the professionalism and dedication Brooks has brought to the partnership."

How it all began: A deal with a surprise effect

When Koepka signed his contract with Srixon and Cleveland Golf in November 2021, it caused quite a stir in the golf scene. Since Nike withdrew from the club segment in 2016, the American had been an equipment free agent - and had won four of his five major titles during this time. Being tied to one manufacturer was not a matter of course for many observers.

Koepka had voluntarily opted for Srixon irons even before signing his contract: He won the Phoenix Open in early 2021 with a set of ZX7 irons without any contractual obligation. Srixon already had a foot in the door - and used the opportunity to win him over as the face of the brand.

The collaboration got off to a media-effective start: Koepka's first public appearance as a Srixon ambassador was a specially staged TV showdown against Bryson DeChambeau in Las Vegas. In the background, development work was underway on a ball that was exclusively tailored to Koepka's style of play - the result: the Srixon Z-Star Diamond.

The highlight: Oak Hill 2023

The sporting highlight of the partnership was not long in coming. Koepka won his fifth major title at the 2023 PGA Championship at Oak Hill - with a full Srixon/Cleveland setup: Srixon ball, Srixon Driver, Srixon ZX7 Mk II irons and Cleveland wedges. It was proof that the combination worked at the very highest level, and also - as would later become apparent - the high point from which the partnership would only go downhill.

The cracks: LIV, a lack of publicity and a rally with significance

Just seven months after signing the contract, Koepka switched to LIV Golf in the summer of 2022 - one of the first well-known PGA Tour professionals to take this step. What this meant for Srixon and Cleveland Golf is obvious: with his departure from the PGA Tour, publicity for the brands dried up almost completely. Tour validation, camera presence, product placement on the world's biggest golf circus - all of this was eliminated.

In a podcast, Koepka himself made no secret of what had prompted him to take this step. "I'll be honest: I signed because of the money," he said on the show BS w/ Jake Paul. "If I get in a car accident tomorrow and can never play golf again, my family is taken care of."

For Srixon and Cleveland Golf, it was clear that the hoped-for advertising return from a global figurehead would not materialize. Koepka also did not switch to the successor models ZXi Driver and ZXi Iron, which were released in 2025 - another signal that did not go unnoticed in the equipment scene.

However, the clearest indication of an imminent separation came from Koepka's bag itself: At the Cognizant Classic in early 2026, he switched from the Srixon Z-Star Diamond - a ball he had been instrumental in developing - back to the Titleist Pro V1x. It was the second time he had made this move; at the 2022 US Open, Srixon had given him permission because the Z-Star Diamond had not yet been fully developed. This time the change was a different statement.

Anyone taking a closer look at Koepka's bag at the 2026 Masters would have found an unusual picture there anyway: a Titleist GT3 Driver, a TaylorMade M2 Fairwaywood from 2016, a Nike 3-iron - and only Srixon irons and Cleveland wedges as remnants of the formal partnership. The signs had long been pointing to separation.

Koepka's season and return to the PGA Tour

The context makes the news even more significant. Koepka had only returned to the PGA Tour at the start of the 2026 season after playing golf at LIV for four years. The return took place via the newly introduced Returning Member Program - combined with noticeable conditions: no wildcard invitations to signature events, no participation in the FedEx Cup bonus system this season and a mandatory donation of five million US dollars to charity.

In sporting terms, the start to the season was solid but unspectacular. In eight starts, Koepka made the cut five times; his best result was a shared ninth place at the Cognizant Classic. He finished tied twelfth at the Masters. He missed the cut at the Zurich Classic - a team format that he played together with Shane Lowry.

What's next?

Koepka is now, for the second time in his career, without an equipment contract - and just before one of the majors at which he was historically particularly successful: the 2026 PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club near Philadelphia begins in two weeks' time. The fact that the separation was announced now of all times is hardly a coincidence.

The question of what will happen next for him is causing the industry to sit up and take notice. As a five-time major winner with regained PGA Tour status, Koepka is considered one of the most sought-after free agents on the equipment market. No manufacturer will want to lose this name to the competition without at least talking to him.

At the same time, the statistics speak in favor of life without a contract: Koepka won four of his five major titles as a free agent. It is not impossible that he will continue on this path for the time being - and simply put together his bag according to personal preference, without any obligations.

Dunlop Sports Americas, meanwhile, has no existential worries. With Hideki Matsuyama, J.J. Spaun and Keegan Bradley, the company has a solid player portfolio that secures the brand's presence on Tour. Spaun recently won the US Open in Oakmont with Srixon irons and Cleveland wedges.

What Koepka pulls out of his bag next will show where the journey will take him.