Brooks Koepka defended his title at the LIV Golf Jeddah in Saudi Arabia yesterday and Talor Gooch pocketed $18mn for winning the season-long individual title. Koepka shot a 2-under-par 68 on Sunday to finish at 14-under 196 before defeating Gooch on the second playoff hole at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club in King Abdullah Economic City. Koepka birdied two of his last three holes and added another birdie on his second playoff hole to seize his third victory on the LIV circuit. Koepka earned $4mn for winning the tournament.
Koepka , however, was unaware that he won an additional $4mn for finishing third in the individual standings. “Sweet. It’s a good feeling,” Koepka told reporters with a laugh. Gooch, who shot a 62 yesterday, walked away as the big winner after surpassing Cameron Smith of Australia and Bryson DeChambeau to capture the season-long points race. By comparison, Gooch earned $9,250,299 while earning one win in 123 starts on the PGA Tour.
Gooch won three events and recorded five top-10 finishes this season, worth more than $15mn more. “I just think it’s a validation to the golfer than I am to the hard work that we’ve put in for years and years,” Gooch said.
Brooks Koepka of the US celebrates with trophy after winning the 2023 LIV Golf Jeddah champion at Royal Greens Golf in Jeddah yesterday. (AFP)
