Brooks Koepka on LIV equipment support: 'There's been no anything'

Everything about Brooks Koepka’s present feels strangely familiar, a throwback to an earlier, leaner chapter of his career. Not all of it lands comfortably. Being reduced to alternate status at PGA Tour events — waiting, hoping for a spot to open — is a humbling echo of the climb he long ago conquered.

But tucked inside that is something lighter, almost liberating. There’s a reminder of simpler days, when fewer obligations meant fewer constraints. That sense of reset surfaced again recently when Koepka’s equipment deal with Dunlop Sports Americas — the parent company of Srixon and Cleveland Golf — came to an end.

The five-time major champion now finds himself in unfamiliar territory once more: untethered, a free agent in the gear world, with the rare opportunity to start fresh.

"It's different. I had a great time with Srixon. They were fantastic," Koepka said on Wednesday. "Four years, it flew by. Yeah, it was great. But, yeah, just going to get back to where I was I felt like. I'm trying to think, '17 and pretty much '21 I was a free agent."

Of course, as part of the LIV Golf circuit, Koepka didn't have the same access to new equipment as he did during his stint on the PGA Tour.

"Over the last few years there's been no equipment trucks. There's been no anything, so I don't really know what's out there," he said "I haven't given it too much thought as of right now just because it's so fresh. Just trying to focus on just going to play good golf.

"But, yeah, with equipment trucks, everything, it's kind of eye-opening when you come back, because I don't think people realize that, at least I didn't — how much stuff is out there and the opportunity you might have."

On Thursday, Koepka found himself making a start in an opposite-field event, the Oneflight Myrtle Beach Classic. As part of Koepka's "Returning Member Program" that brought him back to the PGA Tour, he's not allowed to be a sponsor invite to the PGA Tour's Signature Events. That includes the Truist Championship.

He was hoping to get into the RBC Heritage and the Cadillac Championship the last two weeks as an alternate, but that didn't happen. What he has to do is continue to play and accrue points to bolster his World Golf Ranking (he's 127th as of May 7, 2026).

On Thursday, Koepka showed signs of his previous brilliance, posting five birdies en route to a 68 that has him in a tie for 12th after the first day of play. Martin Laird fired a 64 to take the lead after the opening round of play.

Oneflight Myrtle Beach Classic: Round 1 scores

This marked Koepka's ninth start in 2026 and he has a tie for ninth at the Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches, a tie for 12th at the Masters, a tie for 13th at the Players and a tie for 18th at the Valspar. Koepka and teammate Shane Lowry missed the cut at the Zurich Classic two weeks ago.

“Having Brooks Koepka commit to the Oneflight Myrtle Beach Classic is a tremendous moment for our tournament and our community,” said Darren Nelson, tournament director. “He’s one of the most accomplished players of his generation, and his presence speaks to the continued momentum of this event on the PGA Tour calendar.”

This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Brooks Koepka on LIV equipment support: 'There's been no anything'