In a gripping showdown at the Royal Greens Golf and Country Club, Brooks Koepka displayed resilience to defend his LIV Golf Jeddah title, edging out fellow American Talor Gooch in a tense playoff on Sunday.
Despite Gooch’s valiant efforts, firing an impressive final round eight-under-par 62, it was Koepka’s prowess that ultimately prevailed in the playoff after both finished tied at 14-under par.
Struggling initially on the greens and even par through 15 holes, Koepka’s determination shone through as he sunk a crucial 30-footer birdie putt on the par-3 16th and closed with another birdie on the par-5 18th, catching up with Gooch, who had played a bogey-free round. Follow your favourite golfer with attractive betting odds from Nextbet.
In an electrifying playoff, both golfers managed birdies on the first extra hole. However, Gooch’s wayward second shot into the water on the subsequent attempt at the 18th green sealed Koepka’s victory.
The triumph not only secured Koepka a $4 million winner’s cheque but also propelled him past Bryson DeChambeau to claim third place in the season-long individual standings, earning an additional $4 million bonus.
Meanwhile, Gooch clinched the individual season title, pocketing a substantial $18 million bonus for his stellar performances throughout the season. Cameron Smith from Australia secured second place, earning an $8 million bonus.
Expressing his satisfaction with the win, Koepka remarked, “It’s been fantastic… Super proud of the way I played today. Felt like I was hitting good putts, they just weren’t falling, and then it was just a matter of being patient and hanging in there.”
Gooch, a three-time winner on LIV Golf this season, expressed his joy and gratitude, stating, “It’s awesome… I’m proud, I’m honoured, and I’m excited. It’s what we’ve been working for.”
Amidst the high-stakes action, the battle for survival and securing spots for the 2024 season intensified. Zimbabwean Scott Vincent’s impressive tied third finish secured his playing privileges for 2024, while Austrian Bernd Wiesberger’s stellar final round propelled him into eligibility for trade and transfer in the upcoming season.
With the conclusion of the Jeddah event, anticipation mounts for the $50 million Team Championship in Miami next week, promising another thrilling chapter in the LIV Golf series. The recent reshuffling in team standings sets the stage for an exhilarating contest as the top four teams prepare for the quarter-finals, with team 4Aces securing the top seed followed by the Crushers. Get the best Golf predictions only on Nextbet Sports.
