JEDDAH – Brooks Koepka retained his crown at the LIV Golf Jeddah in Saudi Arabia on Sunday and Talor Gooch pocketed US$18 million (S$24.7 million) for winning the season-long individual title.
Koepka shot a two-under 68 to finish at 14-under 196 before defeating fellow American Gooch on the second play-off hole at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club in King Abdullah Economic City.
The 33-year-old was struggling on the greens and was on even par after 15 holes. However, he made a 30-foot birdie putt on the par-three 16th when he needed it, and closed with another on the par-five 18th to catch up with Gooch, who carded a superb 62.
In the play-off, the duo made birdies on the first extra hole, before Gooch dumped his second shot into the water to the left of the 18th green the second time.
Koepka earned US$4 million for winning the tournament. The five-time Major champion, however, was unaware that he won an additional US$4 million for finishing third in the individual standings.
“Sweet. It’s a good feeling,” he said with a laugh. “Thanks for breaking that news.”
Gooch walked away as the big winner after surpassing Australia’s Cameron Smith, Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau to capture the season-long points race. He also bagged US$2.25 million for finishing second in Jeddah.
This season, the 31-year-old won three events and recorded five top-10 finishes, collecting over US$30 million in prize money, more than three times what he earned (US$9.25 million) while winning once in 123 starts during his seven years on the PGA Tour.
“I just think it’s a validation to the golfer that I am to the hard work that we’ve put in for years and years,” said Gooch, who recorded eight birdies in his bogey-free final round.
“You know this game will beat you up, but we’ve done a good job year after year just continuing to improve and getting better and learning from mistakes.
“That would’ve been really sweet to beat Brooks and to really cap it off like that, but it was a heck of a year and I’m very, very proud of it.”
Harold Varner III shot 65 and finished tied for third with Scott Vincent (66) and Sergio Garcia (67) at 12 under. Dustin Johnson (65), Mito Pereira (66) and Charles Howell III (68) ended up in a three-way tie for sixth a shot back.
The LIV Golf League concludes this week in Miami with the team championship.
Garcia’s Fireballs GC claimed the team title in Saudi Arabia at 34 under (US$3 million), three shots ahead of Bubba Watson’s RangeGoats GC (US$1.5 million) and five in front of Martin Kaymer’s Cleeks GC (US$500,000). REUTERS, AFP
