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For those who observe Golfweek’s David Dusek on Twitter, you noticed this information flash about Brooks Koepka and Srixon.
Brooks Koepka seems to have switched to a TaylorMade M5 driver and the 2017 Titleist Professional V1x ball in preparation for the 2022 U.S. Open. https://t.co/gR6YWbcX1T pic.twitter.com/Jvm2sky1yf
— David Dusek (@Golfweek_Dusek) June 14, 2022
Yep, on U.S. Open week, Koepka switched his driver and golf ball. In response to Dusek, the two-time Open champ goes again to the 2017 Titleist Professional V1x (the ball he used to win all 4 of his majors) and his outdated TaylorMade M5 driver which he used to win the 2019 PGA Championship.
Koepka signed a full bag and ball cope with Srixon-Cleveland final yr that included the Srixon ZX7 driver and the brand new Srixon Z-STAR Diamond golf ball. Srixon proudly introduced at launch that the ball was truly designed with Koepka in thoughts.
What does all of it imply? Why would Koepka do such a factor? Is that this dangerous for Srixon?
The Particulars
In response to Dusek’s article for Golfweek, Koepka was seen practising along with his outdated Professional V1x on the Nation Membership’s short-game observe space. Later, Koepka was seen pulling out his outdated TaylorMade on the driving vary, although it nonetheless has a Srixon headcover.
When MyGolfSpy contacted Srixon, we got the next assertion:
“On this early stage of our partnership, Brooks Koepka has validated the efficiency of the Srixon driver and golf ball. Although efficiency has been promising, the traits usually are not an ideal match, but.
“To work via this adjustment interval most effectively, we determined to focus our vitality on becoming Brooks into the next-generation Srixon driver and golf ball prototypes that can debut on Tour within the close to future—merchandise developed with Brooks’ enter and wishes in thoughts.
“Whereas we get this organized within the subsequent couple of months, Srixon is briefly permitting Brooks to make use of his earlier ball and driver. After all, he’ll proceed enjoying Srixon irons and Cleveland Golf wedges. Each events are absolutely dedicated to the partnership and we’re assured Brooks shall be again in a Srixon driver and golf ball quickly.”
On face worth, it appears affordable. You’ll be able to quibble about “validated the efficiency” versus “the traits usually are not an ideal match.” Nonetheless, the very fact Brooks isn’t dumping his irons and wedges into the Charles River is telling.
What Does It Actually Imply?
Given the dialogue on our most recent episode of No Putts Given, conjecture is simple is that this proof Brooks hates the ball and driver and made an enormous mistake? Does Srixon have a ball downside? Is the connection in bother?
At greatest, Brooks’s switcharoo is embarrassing for Srixon. The corporate proudly introduced his signing final November and was particularly excited when he used the Z-STAR Diamond in his Thanksgiving grudge match with Bryson.
It’s not like Koepka has been a non-factor with his new ball and driver. He has a pair of top-five finishes this yr together with a T12 on the Valspar. However he did miss the reduce on the Masters, the PLAYERS and the Genesis and he completed in a tie for fifty fifth on the PGA.
Whereas Koepka is ranked 18th in driving distance this season, he’s 179th in driving accuracy. He’s 75th in Strokes Gained off the tee and 123rd in Strokes Gained tee to inexperienced. Alternatively, he has performed in simply 10 occasions since January. And one could make the case that, no matter gear, Koepka hasn’t been the identical golfer for the reason that 2018-19 season when he had three wins and 9 top-10 finishes. In 47 tournaments since, he has one win and 15 top-10 finishes.
Statistically, is there proof the ZX7 and Z-STAR Diamond may not be excellent suits? Koepka ranked seventh in Strokes Gained off the tee final season and 28th the season earlier than. He’s usually within the prime 25 in Strokes Gained off the tee so this yr’s outcomes are an aberration. Nevertheless, so far as driving accuracy goes, Koepka’s highest rating within the final six years was 102nd in 2018-19.
Finest Case for Srixon
As talked about, the best-case state of affairs for Srixon is a short-term disappointment. The ZX driver (together with the remainder of the road) is within the closing stretch of its two-year life cycle so it’s affordable to presume the 2023 prototypes are prepared to point out up on Tour. The Z-STAR balls are on the identical cadence and Srixon was clear in saying Koepka has been concerned within the growth course of.
The Z-STAR Diamond did seemingly come out of nowhere final fall. It was billed as a tweener between the Z-STAR and Z-STAR XV. And although it was ostensibly designed for Koepka, it’s affordable to imagine it may not be 100-percent proper.
The timing of Koepka’s change may be very curious. Though it appears out of the blue, it’s necessary to notice that Koepka hasn’t performed for the reason that PGA final month. Certain, he acquired married (and it seemed like a hell of a celebration!) however to suppose he, out of the blue, determined simply this week to modify his driver and ball is foolish. And to suppose Srixon was blindsided by this yesterday is sillier. They could not have been prepared for the social media publicity this sparked however you need to consider they knew.
Worst Case for Srixon
After the short-term embarrassment subsides, the very best case for Srixon is that Koepka strikes into a brand new prototype driver and that he takes to the brand new prototype ball. Srixon balls work for Matsuyama, Lowry and Bradley so there’s no purpose to suppose Srixon can’t excellent one thing for Koepka, as properly. The motive force could also be a bit of touchier, as Matsuyama has had an on-again/off-again relationship with Srixon and TaylorMade for his metalwoods. Finally, it wouldn’t be precedent-setting if Koepka determined to stay with a special driver.
The subsequent to worst-case state of affairs for Srixon is definitely ironic. If Koepka turns it round and wins (or threatens) this week in Brookline, perhaps he decides to stay along with his M5 and ProV1x, at the least in the meanwhile. At that time, good luck getting both out of his bag for some time. That may require some contract adjusting.
What’s the worst-case state of affairs? It’s that Koepka pulls a Justin Rose and will get out of his cope with Srixon. That, nonetheless, is very unlikely as all outward indicators level to a stable working relationship between Koepka and Srixon. Whereas many suppose Rose dumped Honma as a result of the gear sucked, there are two sides to that story.
It’s simple to leap to conclusions and level out inconsistencies in messaging and there are just a few in Srixon’s seemingly rushed assertion. It’s additionally simple to pile on and declare Srixon can’t make a good driver or golf ball. However bear in mind, Srixon staffers have received majors with Srixon balls and drivers.
Perhaps, simply perhaps, Koepka is like the remainder of us. When issues aren’t going properly, we blame the gear.
The one distinction is our switcharoo doesn’t have a whole bunch of hundreds of social media hits.
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