From a Correspondent
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: Just over a year ago, Brooks Koepka described himself as “glass.” His body was breaking down.
The cumulation of severe knee, wrist, and hip injuries threatened to compromise a career that has produced four major titles. He knows he’ll eventually need knee replacement surgery.
But he was determined to return to the kind of elite-level golf he expects from himself, and the LIV Golf Invitational Jeddah presented just that opportunity.
On Sunday at the Royal Greens, all that paid off, as he beat Smash GC teammate Peter Uihlein with a birdie on the third playoff hole for his first LIV Golf individual title and a first worldwide win in 20 months.
In addition, Koepka’s team, including brother Chase and Jason Kokrak, won their first team title of the season by six strokes over Fireballs GC, last week’s winner in Bangkok.
Crushers GC with Anirban Lahiri in the ranks claimed third place via a tiebreaker over 4 Aces GC.
Lahiri personally had a mixed round, rising into the top five at one stage before three tough holes dropped him down the order.
There was consolation though for the Indian star who eagled the par-5 first hole to bring out the smiles and hugs in his group.
The combination of the team victory, and battling against Uihlein – his good friend, ex-roommate, and now teammate – made for a special weekend at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club.
The Big Thing
“Honestly, to me the big thing today was getting the team win,” said Koepka, who shot a final-round 69 to finish regulation at 12 under with Uihlein.
“I told my brother I’d buy him a Lambo if we won the team thing, so I’ve got to go buy one.”
Chase has already selected the colour. “Lime green,” he said.
With the win, Smash GC finished fifth in the team standings. While the top four receive day-one byes at Miami, Smash will get to choose their opponents for the first day of match play.
“I kept thinking about it all week,” Koepka said. “Being able to pick who we are going to play is going to be important. We’re excited for Miami.”
Sunday’s playoff was the second of the inaugural LIV Golf season, Dustin Johnson winning in dramatic fashion in Boston with an eagle on the first playoff hole.
It took three playoff holes on the par-5 18th to determine the winner in Jeddah.
After Koepka and Uihlein each birdied 18 in regulation – eliminating Sergio Garcia and Joaquin Niemann, who had finished at 11 under – they each produced birdies in the first two playoff holes.
Great skill
Uihlein, in particular, showed off some skilled wedge play to set up tap-in birdie putts.
But on the third playoff hole, Uihlein’s luck ran out, as his third shot from a greenside bunker flew past the pin and rolled into the water.
After Uihlein missed his chip for par, Koepka made it a moot point by rolling in his birdie putt with the skies darkening.
“It’s always fun battling against your friends, and I think it’s special,” Koepka said of Uihlein. “Pete is knocking on the door.”
Financially, it was a bittersweet result for Uihlein. A victory would have given him not only the $4 million tournament prize but also second place in the season-long Individual standings, with a bonus prize of $8 million.
Instead, he won $2.125 million for finishing second, and $4 million for finishing third in the season-long race (in addition to his $750,000 share of the $3 million team victory).
“Consolation,” said Uihlein, who had entered Sunday with a one-shot lead over Koepka. “… Still a good chunk of change.”
Considering that his front nine consisted of two double bogeys and a three-putt for par, Uihlein could easily have been discouraged heading to the back nine.
Strong response
But he responded with a bogey-free 3 under on his final nine holes to close out an even-par round of 70 and make the playoff.
“Fought back and played solid on the back,” he said. “Holed some nice putts for par. I felt like if I can keep staying one back of the lead going into the last couple, I could at least give myself a chance.”
Indeed, several players were in the mix down the stretch, including Garcia, Niemann, Matthew Wolff, Paul Casey and even Dustin Johnson, who made a late charge after an eagle.
But ultimately it came down to Koepka and Uihlein, who had never before played in the same group until Sunday when they were in the final group.
“Pretty cool,” Koepka said. “We’ve known each other for so long. That’s what you want to do, right? You want to compete with some of your very good friends, go toe-to-toe.”
It was extra special given that they are now teammates. “I’m so excited,” Koepka said. “This team thing has revived me.”
Individual honours
Boston winner Dustin Johnson, the most consistent player this season, locked up the top spot and the $18 million prize. Fifteen others had a mathematical chance to grab one of the other spots.
Portland winner Branden Grace entered the week in second and remained there, despite a WD last week in Bangkok due to injury and being slowed this week.
Grace finished outside the top 24 and thus netted zero points in Jeddah, but his 79 overall points and victory in Portland allowed him to claim the $8 million prize for second place.
Uihlein would’ve moved into second had he won the playoff and claimed the 40 points for first. Instead, he received 30 points for finishing second, which moved him to 79 points.
He lost the tiebreaker to Grace, since the South African had the better single-tournament result this year (a win) to Uihlein’s best (a runner-up).
Uihlein did win the tiebreaker and the third-place prize of $4 million over Patrick Reed, who also finished with 79 points after receiving three points for his 17th place in Jeddah. (courtesy livgolf.com)
Team standings
The 12 seeds for the Miami Team Championship from October 28 to 30 at Trump National Golf Club Doral were finalised on Sunday.
The top four teams in points receive day one byes and select their opponents on day two.
1. 4 Aces GC, 152 points
2. Crushers GC, 96 points
3. Fireballs GC, 93 points
4. Stinger GC, 72 points
Teams finishing below will select, in order of finish, their opponents for day one.
5. Smash GC, 62 points
6. Majesticks GC, 61 points
7. Torque GC, 38 points
8. Hy Flyers GC, 37 points
9. Iron Heads GC, 32 points
10. Cleeks GC, 21 points
11. Punch GC, 16 points
12. Niblicks GC, 13 points
Also read: LIV Golf: A star named Chacarra rises in Bangkok
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