WATCH: Brooks Koepka rushes to console Jon Rahm before celebrating his win following heartbreaking putt fail
Brooks Koepka won LIV Golf Greenbrier on Sunday. The Smash GC Captain beat Jon Rahm in a playoff at The Old White course to clinch his fifth individual title. This is the third time Koepka has won a playoff on the breakaway tour.
Koepka thrillingly beat Rahm on the first playoff hole. The Legion XIII Captain seemed dejected to lose to the golfer he beat in the final round at the 2023 Masters to bag the Green Jacket. Interestingly, Koepka kept aside the rivalry and became the first person to console the Spaniard after his heartbreaking loss.
The champion golfer was seen walking towards Rahm after the latter missed the putt that could’ve extended the playoff. The two golfers shared a hug, and Koepka said some consoling words to his friend.
The champion went to get a champagne shower while the losing player walked off the field after sharing a handshake with the winner’s caddie.
Watch the video below:
Following the loss, a disappointed Rahm pairsed the playoff game. The golfer reminded fans that he’s gone ‘head-to-head a few times’ with Brooks Koepka and admitted that it ‘hurt’ to lose.
Jon Rahm said after his LIV Golf Greenbrier loss, as quoted by LIVGOLF.com:
“We've gone head-to-head a few times, and it's always a fun one for the spectators. It's fun for us and obviously more fun for whoever wins, but it always seems to come down the stretch. Last time I had a putt to win it on 18, and this time he was the one that ended up winning…There's still obviously a lot of good things to think about. But right now it hurts more than anything.”
It is pertinent to note that the loss wasn’t all sorrow for Rahm as he beat Torque GC Captain Joaquin Niemann in season-long points with the second-place finish. The two European golfers will battle it out for the 2024 Individual Championship next month at LIV Golf Chicago.
Brooks Koepka lauds his fifth win on LIV Golf
Brooks Koepka has now won five times in the 31 LIV Golf regular-season events he’s played. He currently leads the circuit’s wins list as the only player to have won more than three times. Despite having five wins, the 34-year-old dubbed Sunday’s victory as his favorite.
Brooks Koepka said after his LIV Golf Greenbrier win, as quoted by LIVGOLF.com:
“I think this one just meant a little bit more, for the last few years playing Jon and obviously he got the better of me at Augusta. I just wanted to beat him. He played phenomenal today. The way he finished down the stretch was pretty clutch, and it was fun to watch him this week.”
It is noteworthy that Brooks Koepka has had a disappointing season outside of LIV Golf. The five-time major winner said his “year has not been very good” in respect of major championship outings. The ace golfer finished T45 at the Masters, T26 at the PGA Championship, T26 at the US Open and T43 at The Open Championship.
Meanwhile, Koepka’s win also led his Smash side to claim the team title. The skipper and Jason Kokrak carded 7-under 63s, while Talor Gooch shot 69 and reserve plater John Catlin, who came in for Graeme McDowell, shot a 67 to take their team to victory.