Brooks Koepka snubs question after LIV Golf win due to backlash fears (2024)

Brooks Koepka bested Jon Rahm at LIV Golf Greenbrier on Sunday night to claim his fifth individual title on the circuit, but refused to get drawn into a battle of credentials with other players

Brooks Koepka snubs question after LIV Golf win due to backlash fears (1)

Brooks Koepka made LIV Golf history on Sunday night by becoming the first player to win five individual titles on the breakaway league, but was in no mood to discuss any comparisons to his rivals afterwards - fearing a backlash from his fellow players.

The five-time major championships winner, who was one of the first names to sign up to the Saudi Arabia-funded circuit, overcame Jon Rahm on a playoff hole at Greenbrier on Sunday night after an impressive tournament. The American Ryder Cup star carded an impressive 19-under par across the three days to finish level with the Spaniard, one shot better than his Smash GC teammate Jason Kokrak.

Koepka received an unexpected stroke of luck on the first play-off hole - the par-3 18 - as Rahm sent his tee shot cascading away from the green and deep into the side bunker, leaving him with a tough up-and-down to rescue par. The 2023 Masters champion bogeyed, leaving Koepka with the perfect opportunity to double putt for par, which he did. His win caps off an impressive year on the circuit, having won in Singapore earlier in the season - but Koepka didn't want to discuss his credentials in the post-round press conference.

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When asked if he believed he was now the best player on the LIV circuit, Koepka surprisingly refused to answer, stating: "I mean, that's a setup question. I'm not going to answer that because I'm sure everybody will tear me apart. But you have to believe in yourself and be super confident.

"I feel like this year hasn't been -- this year has not been very good. It's nice to kind of try to end it on a high note. Obviously we've got two events left, so we'll see what we can do." Despite claiming a cool $4 million in prize money - before the team's $3 million has been split - Koepka refused to change his stance on this year being a disappointment for him.

He had previously stated his belief that he wasn't happy with his performances in 2024 so far, and reiterated that stance on Sunday night. Koepka, when asked about the 2024 season as a whole, said: "No [the season has still been disappointing]. The four majors were pretty disappointing. I think I've only had two chances to win and I won them, but that's not enough."

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There was more self-deprecation to come from Koepka, who was asked about his win-rate on LIV. Having won five events in 31 starts, most would be impressed with that hit-rate, but not Koepka, who stated there was room for improvement and pointed at Rahm as evidence.

"I mean, that's pretty good. I wish it would be a lot more. I mean, everybody does," he said. "But yeah, just trying to go compete and go win. Like I said, I've only been -- I had a chance to win two of these, and I've pulled them off. The key is actually being a little bit more consistent. You look at Jon all year, he's had, what, eight, nine events maybe where he's top 6 or has a chance to win on the back nine. I think that's what needs to happen for next year."

Rahm has enjoyed an impressive debut year on LIV, having signed in a deal worth $450 million back during golf's 'off-season' - having won at the UK event to extend his lead at the top of the individual standings.

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Ahead of the Greenbrier tournament, reports emerged stating Rahm had buyer's remorse over his LIV move and would happily give back the money to the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund if it meant he could return to the PGA Tour.

Those rumors were squashed by LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman, who stated during Saturday's broadcast: "I read an article yesterday about how Jon is so unhappy here [LIV Golf] and that he wants to give back his money. It's just not true. You speak to Jon's general manager, it's like laughable. I just truly don't get it. I truly don't get the divide.

"The division is still there when we are actually showing how we do work within the ecosystem and how the ecosystem is accepting us and how the people are speaking out there. I just don't understand why it is this way. It tells you there is some deep seeded something there. But we are going to keep ploughing through it and stay true to ourselves."

Brooks Koepka snubs question after LIV Golf win due to backlash fears (2024)

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