Brooks Koepka's rough start to the season prompted a subtle but significant change. At the Cognizant Classic, the five-time major champion has switched from a Srixon Z-Star ball to a Titleist Pro V1x ball. And Golf Digest confirmed that he teed off with the 2025 version.

But why did Koepka choose this specific ball? Well, Koepka doesn't want to leave any stone unturned after experiencing a bad start in the 2026 season.

According to the Titleist website, the Pro V1x is specifically made for golfers who need “higher-trajectory flight, low long game spin with higher short game spin, and firmer feel.” With the multi-dimensional dimple design, it can produce a stable flight and maintain a consistent distance regardless of the wind. 

It isn’t the first time Koepka changed his golf ball. Back at the 2022 U.S. Open, the 35-year-old golfer switched from a Z-Star Diamond to a Pro V1x. And the Titleist ball had helped him win four major tournaments in two seasons. But it’s worth noting that he won the 2023 PGA Championship with the Z-Star Diamond. 

The immediate results of these changes were mixed.

Did Brooks Koepka Solve His Putting Troubles at Cognizant Classic?

Koepka returned to the PGA Tour with an entry to the Farmers Insurance Open. But he scored a four-under 284 to rank at T56. Later at the WM Phoenix Open, he missed the cut after finishing second-to-last in round two.

But in the second round of the Cognizant Classic, Koepka shot a five-under 66. He made the cut and landed in the T27 position on Friday. He hit only six of the 14 fairways. However, his putting was a lot better. Koepka made six birdies in the second round, and that’s four more than what he made in the previous round.

“I hit it a lot worse today. Didn't drive it nearly as good. Iron play wasn't as good. But the putter was better,” he said, reflecting on his latest performance. 

Whether the new equipment provides a long-term solution remains to be seen.

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Written by

Krushna Pattnaik

Edited by

Siddharth Shirwadkar