World No. 1 Brooks Kepka (32, USA) won the first win at LIV Golf operated by Saudi Arabia and hit a ‘jackpot’ worth 6.8 billion won.
In Game 7 of the LIV Golf Series held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on the 16th (local time), Kepka defeated Peter Yulein (USA) at the end of the third overtime and won the first win since transferring to LIV Golf. In the final round of the day, Kepka reduced one stroke to a final total of 12-under 198. The prize money for the joint lead individual event with Yul Ha-in was 4 million dollars (regarding 5.75 billion won). He also won the team event with his younger brothers Chase Kepka, Yula In, and Jason Ko Crack (USA) for an additional $750,000. That’s $4.75 million (regarding 6.84 billion won) in this competition alone.
On that day, while chasing Yulline by one stroke, Kepka recorded a birdie on the last 18th hole (par 5) and led the game to overtime. After three overtime matches, Koepka caught a birdie first and the championship was confirmed. It is the first time in one year and eight months since Kepka won the WM Phoenix Open (February) on the PGA Tour in 2021. Kepka won the US Open (2016 and 2017) and the PGA Championship (2018 and 2019) twice in a row, earning the nickname ‘major hunter’. After winning the 8th on the tour, he finished the US Open in June and joined LIV Golf.
This tournament was the last game of the season for LIV Golf. By winning the tournament, Kepka placed 2nd in the LIV golf season rankings and received a bonus of $8 million. The season champion Dustin Johnson (USA) has been confirmed early. The champion bonus is $18 million. LIV Golf now has only the Team Championship left, which will close the season in Miami next week.
Players who transferred to LIV Golf are still unable to participate in PGA Tour events. With this in mind, Kepka said, “It is regrettable that there is so much time off following the season is over.” However, the American media criticizes Kepka, saying, “This is not something for players who want to spend a lot of time with their families and go to LIV golf.” This was a point of reference to the fact that most players, including Kepka, said, “to have more time with their family” when they transferred to LIV Golf, where the tournament is held once or twice a month using the 54-hole shotgun method.
Reporter Jo Soo-young delinews@hankyung.com
