After 18 years, professional golfer Dustin Johnson has officially ended his sponsorship with TaylorMade Golf. This news comes off the heels of Johnson ending his relationship with Adidas which previously owned the well-known golf brand. Now what does this mean for Johnson and TaylorMade, and how are fans reacting to the news?
Dustin Johnson’s History With TaylorMade
Johnson’s story with TaylorMade goes all the way back to 2007 when he first went pro. This was a sponsorship that made him an ambassador for the brand. All that is to say that throughout his career he primarily used TaylorMade club balls, as well as the branded hat. He continued to accept the sponsorship all through his PGA winning streak. Johnson has won 24 titles while with PGA Tour and managed to reach the No. 1 ranking for 135 weeks. He even stuck with the brand as he dropped the PGA in favor of LIV Golf during the summer of 2022. However, because LIV is not recognized by the OWGR Johnson has lost his position in the top rankings. Johnson has also had his influence in the sport diminished since this decision. LIV Golf seems to be where this sponsorship started falling apart.
How and Why Is This Happening?
The how to this question seems to be on surface that Johnson just let the contract end. This also seems to be telegraphed in his appearances since he signed up with LIV. Since Johnson signed up with LIV he has been absent from TaylorMade marketing. Fans may have noticed that he has been wearing and using less TaylorMade equipment, opting in favor of gear with his team’s logo on it instead.
One may speculate that he made this move due to the deal he made with LIV Golf being worth $200 million. With a deal like that, a sponsorship would be seen as unnecessary. TaylorMade is not the first sponsorship with Johnson that ended. When he first signed up with LIV Golf the Royal Bank of Canada dropped him citing the deal with LIV Golf.
Associations with LIV Golf have been controversial due to their relations with Saudi Arabia. Fans often criticize players and influencers who associate with LIV for that very reason. Some have speculated that the same is happening with Taylor Made, but confirmation of that is purely speculative.
Dustin Johnson Going Forward
Although he is no longer sponsored by them, Dustin Johnson is still using TaylorMade clubs. After 18 years of using them, he most likely has a preference. His LIV Golf team, 4Aces, is sponsored by the apparel brand Extracurricular, a brand that Johnson is working with. His presence on the golf scene may have diminished since joining LIV, but he seems to be doing fine for himself and will continue on his path.
Main photo credit:
© Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images
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