After it was reported Brooks Koepka was the latest PGA Tour star to make the switch to the LIV Golf Series, the American was no doubt left red-faced after palming the idea off at last week’s US Open. According to the Telegraph , Koepka will be announced as the latest rebel to link up with the Saudi-backed Golf League later this week.
The signing of the four-time major champion is a confusing one though, with the American often shooting down the idea of him making the move, which he reiterated as recently as a week ago. At last week’s US Open, Koepka was quizzed as to whether he would make the LIV Golf switch to which he responded: “Honestly I haven’t given it much thought.”
Just days later it was reported that the 32-year-old had made the decision to follow the likes of Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson and old foe Bryson DeChambeau in signing a mega-money - but controversial - deal.
He told reporters at Brookline: “I mean I haven’t given it that much thought.” Struggling over his words, Koepka went on to add: “I am just trying to focus on the US Open man. I am tired of all these conversations, I am tired of all this stuff. You are throwing a black cloud over the US Open, and that sucks.
“I actually do feel bad for them for once. I mean it is a s****y situation. We are here to play and you are talking about an event that happened last week.” The reporter was quick to point out that there are LIV events taking place in the near future, to which Koepka responded: “I know, but you can’t drive a car looking in the rear view mirror can you.”
His defensive response now seems somewhat hollow with Koepka set to tee it up at the Saudi circuit’s second event in Portland next week. Unsurprisingly golf fans on social media did not have much sympathy for the 32-year-old, especially after his recent US Open comments.
Poking fun at Koepka’s underwhelming finish at Brookline after reiterating he was ‘trying to focus on the US Open’ one fan - @trubearski - wrote: “55th place finish. Guess he didn’t focus enough on the US open,” Whilst @23Tommy24 added: “This is the moment he started to give it [LIV switch] thought.”
One golf fan - @DTWDGeoff - commented that they would have ‘more respect’ for Koepka and co if they were ‘honest’ about their Saudi League intentions. They tweeted: “Deflected answering truthfully because deep down he knew the shitstorm that was coming. I get it. But if it was truly the right decision to make, I'd have more respect for all these guys if they were just honest. OWN IT.”
Koepka’s LIV Golf Series debut is set to come next week, when the circuit heads to American soil for the first time in Portland, after their inaugural tournament took place at Centurion Club, St Albans earlier this month.
