Koepka retains Jeddah title as Gooch is the overall champion

From a Correspondent

King Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia: Brooks Koepka won another playoff, and Fireballs GC enjoyed another team victory. But on the final day of the 2023 LIV Golf League regular season, Talor Gooch had the biggest reason to celebrate.

The RangeGoats GC star shot an 8-under 62 on Sunday at LIV Golf Jeddah presented by ROSHN to secure the individual champions’ crown. It’s the first full-season title Gooch has ever won in his golf career, earning him an $18 million bonus.

“It’s awesome,” said Gooch, who won a league-best three times this season. “From January 1st until now, that’s what we’ve been working for. So to get here and be the champion, man, I’m proud. I’m honored. And I’m excited.

“It was a day that you dream of – for the score and the moment. It was a special, special day.”

It was a special day for many LIV golfers at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club.

Koepka, the Smash GC captain, successfully defended his Jeddah title and in similar fashion to last year – by winning an extended playoff.

Repeat feat

Last year, it was a three-hole playoff against Peter Uihlein; this time, it took him two holes to subdue Gooch, who had already guaranteed his season-long title no matter the playoff’s outcome.

Koepka forced the playoff with a birdie at the par-5 18th to close out his 2-under 68 in the final round, leaving him tied with Gooch at 14 under for the tournament. He then birdied the 18th twice in the playoff.

“It’s been great. It’s been fantastic,” said Koepka about his successful title defense. “It’s always a good feeling. Super proud of the way I played today.”

By winning the tournament, Koepka also moved into third place in the individual standings, overtaking Bryson DeChambeau, who finished at 8 under after an even-par 70, leaving him 16th on the points leaderboard.

DeChambeau needed to finish 13th or better to hold off Koepka.

“I really didn’t think I had a chance,” said Koepka, who earns a $4 million bonus for third. “I don’t know how many points Bryson had to have or to get, but I felt like I had to win, and I did my part. … Super fortunate to kind of squeak in there.”

Ripper GC captain Cameron Smith, who entered the week atop the individual points standings, finished at 6 under after his final-round 66. That left him 25th and with no points for the week.

He finished with 170 points to Gooch’s 192 and with $8 million in his pocket.

Seeds for next week’s season-ending Team Championship in Miami were also finalised, with 4Aces GC, Crushers GC, Torque GC and RangeGoats GC securing byes for Friday’s quarter-finals.

Top team

Fireballs captain Sergio Garcia challenged for the individual title most of the day before finishing two strokes shy and in a three-way tie for third with Scott Vincent and Harold Varner III.

Still, he found the top of the podium with his team, as Abraham Ancer (64), Carlos Ortiz (64) and Eugenio Chacarra (67) supplied a counting score of 15 under to finish at 34 under for the week.

The Fireballs were already eliminated from bye consideration, but with a second-place in Chicago and a win in Jeddah in their last two starts, they will enter the team championship with plenty of momentum.

“We know how much Miami means, so hopefully we’ll be able to keep that going and make it fun.”

The Iron Heads’ Vincent also had a special week, as he moved into the top-24 Lock Zone and secured his spot for next year’s LIV Golf League. Vincent followed his 62 on Saturday with a 66 on Sunday to finish at 12 under.

After the tiebreakers, he claimed fourth in the points leaderboard, giving him enough points to move into 22nd in the season-long standings.

“It’s been incredible,” said Vincent. “I can’t tell you how many high fives I just received from so many different people.” (courtesy livgolf.com)

Final team counting scores

1. Fireballs GC (-34): Abraham Ancer 64, Carlos Ortiz 64, Eugenio Chacarra 67 (Rd. 3 score: -15)

2. RangeGoats GC (-31): Talor Gooch 62, Harold Varner III 65, Thomas Pieters 67 (Rd. 3 score: -16)

3. Cleeks GC (-29): Graeme McDowell 63, Bernd Wiesberger 63, Richard Bland 66 (Rd. 3 score: -18)

4. Torque GC (-28): Mito Pereira 66, David Puig 66, Joaquin Niemann 67 (Rd. 3 score: -11)

5. Crushers GC (-28): Paul Casey 66, Charles Howell III 68, Bryson DeChambeau 70 (Rd. 3 score: -6)

6. 4Aces GC (-26): Peter Uihlein 64, Dustin Johnson 65, Patrick Reed 66 (Rd. 3 score: -15)

7. Smash GC (-26): Matthew Wolff 67, Jason Kokrak 68, Brooks Koepka 68 (Rd. 3 score: -7)

8. Iron Heads GC (-23): Kevin Na 63, Scott Vincent 66, Danny Lee 69 (Rd. 3 score: 12)

9. Stinger GC (-22): Charl Schwartzel 66, Dean Burmester 67, Branden Grace 67 (Rd. 3 score: -10)

10. HyFlyers GC (-22): Cameron Tringale 66, Phil Mickelson 68, Brendan Steele 68 (Rd. 3 score: -8)

11. Ripper GC (-21): Cameron Smith 66, Marc Leishman 68, Matt Jones 68 (Rd. 3 score: -8)

12. Majesticks GC (-15): Lee Westwood 63, Henrik Stenson 66, Ian Poulter 68 (Rd. 3 score: -13)

Also read: Koepka eyes Jeddah repeat as Gooch pulls clear in season’s race