The beachy feel of Koepka's hat is a nod to the seaside links at Pebble Beachgetty images
Golfer Brooks Koepka has debuted a new Nike cap at each major this year, and "not unlike the Nike Augusta-themed floral cap at the Masters," he went with an "even brighter floral hat for the first round of the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach," according to Brittany Romano of GOLF DIGEST. Nike said that Koepka's latest hat design was "inspired by California Wildflowers." The print also "includes a clamshell design and stone wash look to enhance the beachy feel of the hat, as a nod to the seaside links that hosts this year's U.S. Open." The reviews on Twitter "went from 'fire' to Caddyshack quotes and even included a few comparisons to notoriously floral-dresser Duffy Waldorf." The print on Koepka's hat can also be "found on the outsole and in the lining of the Nike 'No Denim Allowed' golf shoe pack that launched just before the start of the tournament." Koepka's floral cap at the Masters "earned similar attention, despite being much tamer in color and design." Koepka also "took a style risk with his headwear at the PGA Championship," where the vertical "Nike" graphic was "unlike the traditional swoosh golf hats fan are used to" (GOLFDIGEST.com, 6/13). Meanwhile, Nike's floral hat is not reserved just for the top pros. Amateur Spencer Tibbits' hat on Thursday was a similar "multicolored thing that Nike hasn't even released to the general public" that "matches the soles" of his shoes (Victoria COLOMBIAN, 6/14).
MOST RUN WALDORF'S HAD IN YEARS: Golf Channel’s Rich Lerner said Koepka’s hats “catch a lot of buzz” as Nike is “paying him a lot of money to look like Duffy Waldorf out here” (“Live From the U.S. Open,” Golf Channel, 6/13). ESPN’s Michael Collins said Koepka wearing the hat was enough to "have put him outside of my top five for the favorites" to win this weekend. Collins: "He looked more like Duffy Waldorf than he did like Brooks Koepka. Brooks Koepka does not belong in a floral hat. I don’t care what Nike is trying to market” (“Golic & Wingo,” ESPN Radio, 6/14). YAHOO SPORTS' Jay Busbee wrote Koepka's hat on Thursday "looked like a beach condo's couch" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 6/13).
ON THE CATWALK: GOLF.com's Luke Kerr-Dineen wrote there have been a "number of style storylines" at this year's U.S. Open, "especially involving Nike’s shoes." Rory McIlroy’s golf shoes "might be the slickest of the lot, because of the eye-catching design hidden within." McIlroy's shoes "look pretty standard," but "flip them over and that’s when the pattern reveals itself." The shoes are part of the “No Denim Allowed” line, and the pattern "features clamshells and flowers inspired by The Clambake" (GOLF.com, 6/13).
