With the PGA Tour skipping out on Kapalua this year, Golf’s Hot Stove League has been slow to heat up. But today, the pilot light ignited, and the burner fired up with news of Jake Knapp & J.T. Poston inking apparel deals with Johnnie-O as the brand continues to expand its presence on the fairways.
If Johnnie-O were casting golfers to embody its DNA, it would land pretty quickly on Knapptime and the Postman. Knapp, the smooth-swinging California native with UCLA roots, brings the laid-back confidence that feels straight out of a Southern California muni. Poston, a North Carolina mainstay and three-time Tour winner, represents the East Coast side of the equation: classic, composed, and quietly lethal.
Johnnie-O founder John O’Donnell summed it up best — Knapp and Poston aren’t just ambassadors, they’re walking proof of the brand’s “East Coast meets West Coast” ethos. One leans Cali cool, the other leans Carolina classic. Together, they complete the picture.
Knapp’s rise over the past couple of seasons has been hard to miss. He picked up his first PGA Tour win in 2024 and has quickly built a reputation as a player with effortless power and effortless style to match. What makes this partnership feel authentic is Knapp’s long-standing relationship with O’Donnell.
“I’ve had a long connection to John O’Donnell through the UCLA Golf team, and he’s always been incredibly supportive of me and my journey,” said Knapp. “Having known the brand for years, I love how it naturally fits with who I am. Just like me, they approach the game with a performance-first mindset while embracing their West Coast roots and style. I’m excited to officially be part of the Johnnie-O team.”
On the course, look for Knapp to lean into Johnnie-O’s Cross Country Flex Pants and performance polos that offer clean silhouettes, technical fabrics, and laid-back vibes. Off the course, it’s the Hoppin’ Hoodie that will be his go-to. It’s golf-adjacent without screaming “golf,” which fits Knapp perfectly.
Poston, on the other hand, brings a different kind of energy. A fixture on Tour since 2015, three wins deep, and consistently one of the more composed presences inside the ropes, he’s the kind of player who makes classic look current and cool.
His on-course rotation will feature the Carmel 5-Pocket Pants, along with versatile layers like the Sully 1/4-Zip and Crosswind Vest — pieces that thrive in variable conditions and reward a more traditional approach to style. Think sharp, unfussy, and built to move.
There’s also a strong home-state connection here. Johnnie-O’s North Carolina roots matter to Poston, and that shared geography gives the partnership an added layer of meaning.
Zoom out, and these moves signal something bigger for Johnnie-O. Golf fashion is shifting. The old lines between lifestyle and performance are gone, and brands that understand that are winning. Johnnie-O’s bets on Knapp and Poston aren’t just about Tour exposure — it’s about reinforcing a point of view.
The brand has been steadily building a golf presence that doesn’t feel forced or overly Tour-polished. Its ambassador roster already includes the likes Scott Stallings, Michael LaSasso, Parker McLachlin, Bones Mackay, and even content creators like Peter Finch and Danny Maude. That mix matters. It tells us Johnnie-O isn’t chasing one version of “the golfer.” They’re backing personalities, creators, teachers, and players who reflect how the modern game actually looks.
Johnnie-O didn’t just sign two PGA Tour players. They doubled down on an “East Coast classics, West Coast vibes” identity, and it feels like the continuation of a good run for the brand on the fairways.