Collin Morikawa is kicking off the FedEx Cup Playoffs with a shake-up both on and off the course. The 28-year-old two-time major champion arrived at the FedEx St. Jude Championship this week with yet another new caddie — his fifth of the season — and a fresh endorsement deal that will keep him hydrated in more ways than one. Morikawa has officially joined Stanley 1913 as its latest brand ambassador, following in the footsteps of LPGA star Nelly Korda.
Morikawa’s New Stanley Deal
Stanley 1913, the PGA Tour’s official insulated drinkware partner, is rolling out big activations during the Playoffs, from scavenger hunts in Memphis to personalized engraving stations in Atlanta. Morikawa says the appeal was obvious: “I travel so much and being on the road means needing options to adapt to my needs, and Stanley 1913 has that range.”
While the off-course partnership is locked in, the on-course relationship is still in the “trial” phase. Morikawa’s new looper this week, Mark Urbanek — best known for working with Tony Finau — is the latest to get a crack at steadying Morikawa’s bag after the surprising April split with longtime caddie JJ Jakovac. Whether Urbanek’s stint becomes permanent remains to be seen.
Needs to Work His Way Up the Rankings
The timing is crucial. Morikawa enters the week ranked 19th in the FedEx Cup standings and is already guaranteed a spot in next week’s BMW Championship. But the ultimate goal is East Lake and a shot at the season-ending Tour Championship. Only the top 30 after BMW make it.
The American’s form, however, has been patchy. He’s coming off back-to-back missed cuts at the Scottish Open and The Open, and his Ryder Cup position has slipped from automatic qualifier to eighth on the U.S. points list. While most expect Captain Keegan Bradley to give him a nod, nothing is certain ahead of September’s showdown at Bethpage Black.
Still, Morikawa insists the belief is there. And now, whether he’s walking the fairways sipping water from his All Day Slim Bottle or mixing up a protein shake with Stanley’s Activate Shaker mid-round, he’s aiming to keep both body and game fully charged.
For Morikawa, the Playoffs are a chance to silence the doubts, lock in a Ryder Cup berth, and maybe — just maybe — make this caddie switch his last for a long while.
