Buyer’s remorse? Brooks Koepka drops huge LIV hint
The four-time major champion seems to enjoying life back among his PGA Tour friends and rivals alike at Augusta. Matt Chivers explains
We already know of subtle whispers that Brooks Koepka has buyer’s remorse about moving to LIV Golf, but did he just confirm as much at the Masters?
After surging into a solo lead at the top of the leaderboard, Koepka discussed his physical health and well-being compared with previous weeks at Augusta National.
“When the knee was messed up, I was afraid to get back on it to load it, my right side – it was more of a stack and tilt,” Koepka said. “I was just getting the left side and then back up out of it.
“The awkward lies were not fun. But now it’s so much easier to be able to load, and get that full turn or rotation going back.”
And then he was asked a key question: If you had been as healthy as you are right now, would the LIV decision have been more challenging?
“Honestly, yeah,” he replied without hesitation. “If I’m being completely honest.”
Then, perhaps sensing he had been too honest, he added: “But I’m happy with the decision I made.”
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Koepka joined LIV Golf in June 2022 and in his last season on the PGA Tour he missed seven cuts in 16 events which equalled the number of weekends he missed between 2016 and 2019.
His win at the LIV Orlando event last week represented an up-turn in form and attitude, but his dominance at the halfway stage of the Masters is a clear glimpse of the man who won four majors in a flash.
One could be forgiven that this version of Koepka was long-gone, with his missed cut at the International Series event in Oman on the Asian tour earlier this season being the strongest signal.
But he told us he wanted to battle with the likes of Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler at the first men’s major of the year and he is doing much more than that.
Koepka became just the fourth player in history to open the Masters with consecutive rounds of 67 or better as he chases the third chapter of a potential career grand slam.
Matt Chivers
Now on the wrong side of 25, Matt has been playing golf since the age of 13 and was largely inspired to take up the game by countless family members who played golf during his childhood.
Matt is a member at Royal Cinque Ports in Deal playing off a 5 handicap, just a pitching wedge away from his hometown of Dover where he went to school and grew up. He has previously been a member at Etchinghill and Walmer and Kingsdown in Kent.
Having studied history at the University of Liverpool, Matt went on to pass his NCTJ Exams in Manchester a year later to fulfil his lifelong ambition of becoming a journalist. He picked up work experience along the way at places such as the Racing Post, the Independent, Sportsbeat and the Lancashire Evening Post.
Matt joined NCG in February 2023 and is the website’s main source of tour news, features and opinion. He has reported live from events such as The Open, the Ryder Cup and The Players Championship, having also interviewed and spent time with some of the biggest names in the sport.
Consuming tour golf on what is a 24/7 basis, you can come to Matt for informed views on the game and the latest updates on the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LPGA Tour, Ladies European Tour and LIV Golf.
What’s in Matt’s bag: Cobra LTDx LS driver, Cobra LTDx 3-wood, TaylorMade P7MC irons, Ping Glide 4.0 wedges, Odyssey putter.
