Brooks Koepka: LIV Golfers Not ‘Washed Up’ After 2023 Masters

Four-time major champion Koepka fell short on Sunday, falling to Spaniard Jon Rahm by four shots. Koepka finished in a tie for second place with fellow LIV Golf captain and three-time Masters champion Phil Mickelson, who shot a final-round 7-under 65 to finish 8 under.

Brooks Koepka: LIV Golfers Not ‘Washed Up’ After 2023 Masters

It was quite clear what the most popular joke on social media this week would be after LIV Golf League captain Brooks Koepka failed to retain a 54-hole lead in the final round of the Masters on Sunday.

Koepka has never played 72 holes before.

However, despite all the pre-Masters debate about LIV Golf League participants not participating in enough tournaments or high-stakes competitions, the second-year circuit’s representatives performed admirably at Augusta National Golf Club.

“We’re still the same people,” said Brooks Koepka, who had previously missed the cut in 2021 and 2022 while recovering from a major right knee injury. “So I mean, I know if I’m healthy, I know I can compete. I don’t think any of the guys that played this event thought otherwise, either. When Phil plays good, we know he’s going to compete. Reed, the same thing. I think that’s just manufactured by the media that we can’t compete anymore; that we are washed up.”

Since its introduction in June of last year, LIV, which is supported by the Saudi sovereign wealth fund, has revolutionised the golf industry, and its players have been shunned by the PGA. Critics of LIV have described it as gimmick golf, presenting essentially lower-quality play than the PGA, because to its 54-hole schedule, shotgun starts, and no-cut tournaments. Ironically, Koepka had a commanding lead over the competition after the first three rounds before losing steam with a fourth round score of +3.

In light of the fact that “everyone thinks we suck now,” Harold Varner, a LIV member who placed 29th at The Masters, claimed that he and his fellow LIVers had a chip on their shoulder going into the competition.

Koepka, 32, said earlier this week that it would have been harder for him to decide to retire from the PGA Tour in June if his right knee hadn’t been significantly hurt in an accident in March 2021. Koepka hadn’t been playing well prior to last week’s LIV Golf event in Orlando, Florida, which he won.

 

FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE- 

Megan Rapinoe & Other Athletes Petitioned Against Bill Seeking An Amendment To Protection Of Women & Girls In Sports Act