The first LIV Major takes the flag…with a PGA megaton impact

When “Major Hunter” Brooks Koepka left the U.S. Professional Golf (PGA) Tour for the LIV Golf Series last year, the PGA Tour dismissed him as a fringe player. That’s because after undergoing knee surgery in 2021, Koepka hadn’t been performing well.메이저사이트

While the PGA Tour expressed embarrassment and anger at Koepka’s betrayal, they didn’t think he was a threat to them. But after taking a break from the LIV Series to regain his form, Koepka announced his return with a runner-up finish at the Masters last month, and now he’s back, this time lifting the WarnerMaker Trophy for the PGA Championship.

Koepka carded seven birdies and four bogeys for a 3-under 67 in the final four rounds of the PGA Championship ($17.5 million purse) at Oak Hill Country Club (par 70-7380) in Rochester, N.Y., on Sunday (Sept. 22). His final total of 9-under-par 271 gave him the victory over Victor Hovland and Scott Scheffler, who tied for second at 7-under-par 273. He earned $3.15 million in prize money. This is the first time a LIV Series player has won a major.

With the win, Koepka now has five major victories and nine career PGA Tour victories. Three of his five major wins have come at the PGA Championship (2018-2019-2023). His other two major victories came at the 2017 and 2018 U.S. Open. Koepka’s five majors is a record held by only 20 players in history.

Koepka’s victory could send shockwaves through the PGA Tour that do more than bruise its ego. A LIV Series player winning a major means there’s now a place to watch the world’s best players outside of the PGA Tour. With Cameron Smith having already won last year’s Open, it’s hard to see how the LIV Series could be considered lesser anymore, but with the arrival of a competitor they’ve been avoiding, they’re now forced to acknowledge it.

Koepka, however, was wary of his win being seen as a proxy battle between the PGA Tour and the LIV Series. In his post-win interview, he said, “It’s awesome. I’m just very, very happy with everything that’s happening right now. I’m speechless,” but also emphasized that “I competed in this tournament as an individual.”

In a tie for fourth place were LIV’s Bryson Dischambeau, Cam Davis and Kurt Kitayama, who all shot 3-under par 277. Lee Kyung-hoon was the only South Korean to make the cut, combining four birdies and three bogeys on the day to finish one stroke back in a tie for 29th place at 5-over par 285.