Brooks Koepka has won two US Opens and three USA PGA Championships Five-time major champion Brooks Koepka hit a tee box marker into the crowd before withdrawing from the first round of the LIV Golf event in Dallas. The American, 35, smashed his club into the ground then struck the marker on the left of the tee towards a handful of fans after a poor tee shot on the ninth hole at Maridoe Golf Club. The marker did not appear to hit anyone. Koepka pulled out on six over par after playing eight holes. LIV said it was because of illness and he had been "feeling under the weather all week". He was replaced by Mexican reserve Luis Carrera for the remainder of the round, with their combined score counting towards their team Smash GC's score. LIV said Koepka can return for the second and third rounds but his score would contribute only to his team's. Players compete individually and for teams at LIV events. They tee off at the same time on different holes, known as a shotgun start. Koepka, who has won five times on the LIV tour, missed the cut at the Masters in April and the US PGA Championship in May, and finished tied for 12th at this month's US Open. Speaking about his form after the first round of the US Open, he said: "I would say from the first weekend in April until about last week, you didn't want to be around me. "It drove me nuts. It ate at me. I haven't been happy. It's been very irritating." The former world number one won the most recent of his majors in 2023 at the US PGA.
Koepka hits tee box marker into crowd at LIV event
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Brooks Koepka Withdraws from LIV Golf Event After Early Struggles"
Bbc News
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TruthLens AI Summary
Brooks Koepka, a five-time major champion, faced a challenging moment during the first round of the LIV Golf event held in Dallas when he struck a tee box marker into the crowd after a disappointing tee shot on the ninth hole. The incident occurred at Maridoe Golf Club, where Koepka, 35, was playing poorly and ended up withdrawing after finishing eight holes with a score of six over par. Fortunately, the marker he hit did not appear to injure any fans present. Koepka's withdrawal was attributed to illness, with LIV announcing that he had been feeling unwell throughout the week leading up to the event. Following his exit, Mexican reserve player Luis Carrera took his place for the remainder of the round, with their combined scores contributing to the team Smash GC's overall performance in the tournament.
Despite his recent struggles, Koepka's career includes two US Open victories and three PGA Championships, and he has also won five times on the LIV tour. His recent performances have seen him miss the cut at the Masters in April and the US PGA Championship in May, while he managed a tied 12th finish at the US Open earlier this month. Reflecting on his form, Koepka expressed frustration about his game, stating that he had not been in a good mental space since early April. He emphasized how the situation had been irritating and challenging for him. LIV Golf events feature a unique format where players compete both individually and as teams, with a shotgun start allowing all players to tee off simultaneously from different holes. Although Koepka may return for the second and third rounds, his score will only count towards his team's total, rather than his individual standing in the tournament.
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