Srixon claimed 'KPGA ball usage rate No. 1' — the real No. 1 was a rival's ball

From August 2022, Dunlop Sports Korea advertised its Srixon golf balls as 'KPGA ball usage rate No. 1' and 'the most influential ball selected by KPGA pros' — on its website, social media, YouTube, outdoor ads and in magazines. The claim implied Srixon was the most-used ball on Korea's professional golf tour. In fact it rested on usage rates pooled across the KPGA's first, second and third division tours, and only for limited periods: July, August and November 2022.

The Korea Fair Trade Commission found the claim false and misleading. Official statistics showed a competitor's ball was actually No. 1 on the first-division tour — the tour consumers understand when they hear 'KPGA'. No official certified statistics existed for the second and third divisions at all, and usage data had been submitted for only 12 of the 18 tournaments held in the claimed period. Superlative claims like 'No. 1' require objective verification, the KFTC said; stressing professionals' choices can unduly sway purchases without factual basis.

On 9 February 2026 the KFTC sanctioned Dunlop Sports Korea under the Labeling and Advertising Act: a surcharge of ₩206 million, an order to cease the advertising, and a public notification order. The commission said it would keep monitoring false and exaggerated advertising in sectors close to public hobbies and leisure.