'I Have Always Liked Him As A Person' - Brooks Koepka Reveals He Has 'No Ill Will' Towards Former LIV Golf Teammate Matt Wolff
It's no secret that the American duo have history, but the former Smash GC pair, who are both in contention at LIV Golf Singapore, seem to be on better terms... That's according to Koepka
Golf is full of famous rivalries and, although nowhere near as notable as Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, for example, one of the most recent has appeared on the LIV Golf circuit, as Brooks Koepka and Matt Wolff haven't seen eye-to-eye.
Originally, the American pair were part of Smash GC, which Koepka captains. However, throughout 2023, Koepka regularly lambasted his teammate, even claiming at one point in July 2023 that he had "basically given up" on Wolff.
Following the end of the 2023 LIV Golf season, individual LIV Golf champion, Talor Gooch, switched teams with Wolff, as the latter joined Range Goats GC. Since then, Wolff has enjoyed somewhat of a resurgence, claiming two top five finishes in the first six events of 2024.
Paired together during the second round of LIV Golf Adelaide last week, there was no animosity between Koepka and Wolff in Australia and, at LIV Golf Singapore, Wolff is once again in contention, sitting three shot back of, you guessed it, Koepka.
In a more competitive environment than that of Adelaide, questions turned to what would have happened if the duo were paired together in the final group. Well, according to Koepka, there would be no issue between the two, despite previous history. As it turns out, Wolff will be teeing off in the group before the five-time Major winner.
Following his seven-under 64, Koepka stated: "Look, I have no problem with Matt. We just didn't gel and see eye-to-eye on how things were or how I thought they should be. I've always liked him as a person. I think he's a great kid. I've said that to a bunch of people even behind closed doors during everything last year.
"It was a good thing for him to leave the team and go to the Range Goats, and it was a good thing for our team. Look, he's fine. He seems to be playing better, in a better head space, better form, better everything. Look, I don't have any ill will towards him at all."
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Asked about whether Koepka's influence at the top of the leaderboard will play a part on Sunday, Wolff stated: "I don't think it really matters. I think I'm out there focusing on myself, trying to play the best that I can play, and I'm not worried about what other people are doing. Every single tournament, every single round, I just go out there and give it my best, and that's all I can really do. Like I said, I can't control what other people are doing. So why focus on him."
Koepka will start the final day three shots clear of four players at 12-under-par. Amongst them are Wolff, Cleeks GC's Adrian Meronk, Fireballs GC's Abraham Ancer and Range Goats GC's Thomas Pieters. If Koepka were to win, he would become the first LIV Golfer to claim four titles.
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
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