Brooks Koepka Claims LIV Golf Invitational Jeddah Victory
Koepka defeated his close friend, Peter Uihlein, in a playoff, as he picked up his first LIV Golf title
After the Smash GC pair of Peter Uihlein and Brooks Koepka couldn't be separated after 54 holes, we were treated to a three hole playoff, with Koepka eventually getting the better of his good friend, as he secured the $4 million first prize.
It turned out to be an expensive hour or so for Uihelin, who missed the opportunity to grab second in the individual standings from Branden Grace, although the American did finish third, thus earning himself an extra $4 million for his efforts.
But the day was all about Koepka, who seemed slightly emotional after his LIV Golf Invitational Jeddah victory, with the four-time Major winner stating: "The last two years have been tough. It's been a long road and I didn't know if my career was over for a half-second, I mean, I told Claude (his coach) I'm not sure if I'm ever going to be able to play, so it's nice to come back and be able to win."
A post shared by LIV Golf (@livgolfinv)
A photo posted by on
Beginning the final day it was Uihlein who led his fellow Smash GC teammate Koepka, with more than 10 players within five shots of the lead. However, after just a couple of holes, we saw a three-way tie at the top, with Sergio Garcia adding his name to the list at 11-under-par.
All three were looking for their first LIV Golf individual title and, heading into the back nine, it was Koepka who was looking the most likely, as back-to-back birdies on the ninth and 10th put him ahead by one.
With eight holes remaining though, there was still plenty of drama left to go and, through 13 holes, Uihlein, Koepka and Garcia were joined by Paul Casey, as a four-way tie took place with just five holes left to play.
However, the duo of Koepka and Uihlein soon found themselves ahead of the congested pack and, when Joaquin Niemann and Garcia both set the clubhouse target at 11-under, it was down to the American pair to better them.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
And that's exactly what they did, with both men finding birdies at the last to jump Garcia and Niemann to 12-under and force the second ever playoff in LIV Golf. After signing their cards, they headed up the 18th, with both birdieing it yet again, as we went up the par 5 once more.
Yet again, more birdies followed, with the duo back up the last for the fourth time in just over an hour. With the light fading, we were eventually gifted our winner as, after both found the greenside bunker with their second shots, Uihlein hit a stone and carved his ball into the lake behind the 18th green.
That left Koepka to splash out to eight-feet and roll in his birdie putt for his first LIV Golf title and first victory since the 2021 Waste Management Phoenix Open. Along with the individual title, his Smash GC side also secured the team trophy, with $750,000 heading to each of the quartet.
Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.
Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.
Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?
Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°
Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°
Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°
Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW
Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°
Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
-
LIV Golf Pair Hint At Ryder Cup-Style Match Against PGA Tour
Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau have hinted that their 'Showdown' match with Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler could be just a preview of a Ryder Cup style LIV Golf-PGA Tour clash in the future
By Paul Higham Published
-
'It Was Really About Us Taking This Into Our Own Hands' - McIlroy On How PGA Tour-LIV Golf Showdown Came To Fruition
Rory McIlroy says the players organized the PGA Tour-LIV Golf Showdown match themselves to show fans they're trying to bring the sport back together
By Paul Higham Published
-
LIV Golf Pair Hint At Ryder Cup-Style Match Against PGA Tour
Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau have hinted that their 'Showdown' match with Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler could be just a preview of a Ryder Cup style LIV Golf-PGA Tour clash in the future
By Paul Higham Published
-
Brooks And Bryson 'Would Have Put Up A Good Fight' Against Scheffler In 2024
Brooks Koepka says he and Bryson DeChambeau would have given Scottie Scheffler a "good fight" had they played on the PGA Tour
By Paul Higham Published
-
'Bryson’s A Good Dude' - Brooks Koepka Admits He Was Wrong About Rival DeChambeau
Brooks Koepka admits he had the wrong impression of Bryson DeChambeau and is now seemingly a big fan of his long-time rival
By Paul Higham Published
-
PGA Tour Pair Clear Favorites As Early Odds Released For 'The Showdown'
Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler have been strongly tipped to triumph in their exhibition match against LIV golfers Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
The Showdown: Date And Course Set For Las Vegas TV Match Featuring McIlroy, Scheffler, DeChambeau And Koepka
More details on the venue and date for the made-for-TV contest featuring Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka have been released
By Mike Hall Last updated
-
Watch: Brooks Koepka Plays Hilarious Prank on Jon Rahm And Sergio Garcia Before European Championship Final Between Spain And England
The five-time major champion arrived to the tee sporting an England shirt, just hours before Spain face the Three Lions in the final of Euro 2024.
By Conor Keenan Published
-
Why Brooks Koepka Isn't Wearing LIV Golf Logos At The PGA Championship
The current PGA Championship holder is a LIV Golf captain but does not show any of the league's logos on his apparel or bag
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Brooks Koepka Warms Up For PGA Championship Defence By Sealing LIV Golf Singapore Victory
The American shot a final-round 68 at Sentosa Golf Club to win his fourth individual LIV Golf title
By Jonny Leighfield Published