This is a big week for Walker Cupper and BYU sophomore Kehei Akina as he prepares for the The PGA Tour’s Bank of Utah Championshiphis fifth career PGA Tour start.
Akina has also joined Ping as its latest NIL ambassador.
“Joining Ping at this point in my career is a tremendous honor,” Akina, who finished 8th at the 2026 NCAA Championships, said in a press release. “I’ve played on Ping’s crew since my junior days, and I’ve developed a great relationship with his team since arriving at BYU.
“His knowledge of equipment and custom fit makes a huge difference in my game and helps give me the confidence I need to advance my career and reach the goals I’ve set for myself. I’m excited to be part of the Ping family.”
As part of the agreement, Akina will play a bag full of Ping clubs, carry a Ping bag and wear a Ping hat at all tournaments and appearances outside of her collegiate events. That includes this week at Black Desert Resort, where he will continue to play Ping G440 LST driverPrototype Mini Driver, i240 and Blueprint S irons, S259 wedges and a PLD Ally Blue H putter.
The G440 driver family (MAX, LST, SFT) is optimized to deliver more ball speed through several advancements, including PING’s deepest CG in a driver to date and a thinner, thinner face, while continuing to ensure the game-changing forgiveness expected from a PING driver. The G440 LST (Low Spin) design appeals to players with a faster swing speed, providing lower spin and more control at lofts of 9° and 10.5° with the three-position back weight. HIGHLY FORGIVEN Lighter head weight allows for heavier shoulder weight. FAST FACE Shallow, thinner face increases ball speed for more distance, higher launch. SOUND DESIGN The new shape, carbon crown and internal ribs produce a silent impact experience. FREE-HOSEL DESIGN Saves weight to lower CG, increases forgiveness. Allows more flex of the face to the heel side for consistent ball speed across the face.
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This is Akina’s third PGA Tour start this season; he finished T16 at the Puerto Rico Open and 81st at the Wyndham Championship.
At the Walker Cup in Lahinch last month, Akina went 1-1-1, halfway through his Sunday match with Niall Sheils Donegan.
“Kihei has quickly put his name on the list of the youngest golfers in the world,” Ping CEO and President John K. Solheim said in a statement. “He had a phenomenal junior career, and that level of play has continued in college where he has already received numerous accolades for his performance. We are pleased to add him to our team and look forward to following his progress as an amateur and beyond. He has already played in four PGA Tour events, showing that he can compete at the highest level. He is a very enjoyable game and a very passionate young man.”
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