Rickie Fowler might have re-started his relationship with COBRA PUMA this season with “The COBRA PUMA Golf brands are like family to me,” however, it didn’t come without some scrutiny on both him and fellow golfer, Max Homa. While the latter’s issue started with a series of poor rounds at the Farmers Insurance Open, Fowler also dealt with similar fate in the following months with his best finish coming at the Truist Championship (T15). Despite his poor finishes, Fowler is defending this partnership.
After Fowler’s partnership with TaylorMade ended in 2024, the golfer turned to Titleist and COBRA for his golf equipment. Following the switch, he has seen plenty of moderate performance this season with only 2 top-20 finishes so far. Additionally, he missed the cut at the second men’s major, the PGA Championship, following a series of poor first two rounds. However, despite the lack of improvement in his gameplay, Fowler talked about the partnership rather fondly.
During an interview with Son of a Butch with Claude Harmon, Fowler began, “For me, it’s always been about partnerships and being able to work with companies and people who believe in obviously wanting to be with me. To me, we are all family, and it’s like that from day one. So, we are in it together. Um, it’s hard to put it into kinda perspective for people on the outside or have a full understanding, but it’s not like, “Hey, we pay you to wear these clothes, or you need to hit the stuff.” We work on the stuff together, and we all want to see it do well. Now, it’s been fun. I am someone who looks to partnership, does stuff together, and has a good time.”
That defense, however, comes from Fowler’s history with the brand. The American started his professional career with PUMA Golf in his bag in 2009 and followed it with his partnership with COBRA Golf in 2012. Along with that, this latest partnership will last for many years to come and will add more years to their already 16-year-old partnership.
However, Rickie Fowler’s relationship with PUMA has been good. For instance, throughout his tenure with Cobra Puma, Fowler has achieved six PGA Tour victories, including the 2015 Players Championship. Rickie Fowler’s lasting popularity and strong reputation make him a valuable asset for the Cobra Puma brand. Perhaps one of the biggest examples comes from a 2013 COBRA PUMA update, wherein Cobra Puma released 500 limited edition orange shoes to celebrate Fowler’s signature all-orange look on Sundays, and these shoes sold out almost immediately.
Fowler is also making a significant mark in the shoe business, especially in golf footwear. In 2016, he made a bold fashion statement by introducing a unique pair of high-top golf shoes in collaboration with the brand. Given Fowler’s popularity (1.6M X followers; 2M Instagram followers) among young golfers and his involvement with junior golf programs in Florida and across the country, the brand introduced a youth version of the shoe ($100). However, given Rickie Fowler’s popularity, it is also not surprising that he has another partnership under his belt.
Rickie Fowler signed a new deal this season
Before we delve into the new deal, let’s understand why Rickie Fowler is so popular. Rickie Fowler’s popularity comes from his genuine personality and unique style, making him a fan favorite in the golf world. He actively engages with fans, often signing autographs and taking photos, which enhances his relatability. Additionally, Fowler’s career journey resonates with many because he has experienced both significant successes and challenging setbacks. His openness about his struggles and his sincere attitude, especially towards younger fans, further solidify his status as a beloved figure in the sport. Perhaps that’s why he caught the eyes of Ernst & Young.
In January, Rickie Fowler signed a deal with Ernst & Young (EY) to wear their logo on the front right of his shirt. He first displayed the EY patch during the launch of TGL on ESPN and American Express and will continue to wear it for the rest of the season.
Fowler mentioned that EY wanted to re-enter the golf scene, and he felt fortunate to be in the right place at the right time for this partnership. “They were in a position where they wanted to get back into the golf space a bit more. Lucky for me, I happened to be in the right place at the right time, and everything came together organically.” With that, he ended his long-time partnership with Grant Thornton.
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