Kepka "Conquering LIV Golf"... 'First Victory After 3rd Sudden-Death Playoff'

Kepka Wins LIV Golf Invitational Jeddah Final Day in Playoff
Garcia and Niemann Tied for 3rd, Johnson Tied for 5th, Mickelson Tied for 35th

Brooks Koepka won the LIV Golf Invitational Jeddah after a playoff battle.

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] 'Major Hunter' Brooks Koepka (USA, photo) has also 'taken over' LIV Golf.

Koepka shot 1-under par in the final third round of the LIV Golf Invitational Jeddah (total prize money $25 million), which concluded on the 16th (local time) at the Royal Greens Golf and Country Club (par 70, 7,100 yards) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. He tied with Peter Uihlein (USA) at 12-under par 198 and then made a winning birdie on the third hole of the sudden-death playoff at the 18th hole (par 5). Having joined LIV Golf in June, he claimed his first victory in six tournaments and received a winner's prize of $4 million (5.6 billion KRW).

Starting one stroke behind in second place, Koepka recorded five birdies and four bogeys. He was cruising, having reduced two strokes over ten holes, but suddenly faltered with three consecutive bogeys from holes 11 to 13. However, he added birdies on the 15th hole (par 4) and the final 18th hole to dramatically enter the playoff. Unable to decide the winner with birdies through the first two playoff holes, Koepka secured a precious birdie on the third. He exclaimed, "I'm happy to win after a long time," and added, "I'm glad to be able to return to the United States holding the winner's trophy."

Koepka is a player who has won eight professional tournaments, including four majors, on the PGA Tour. He won the US Open in 2017 and 2018, and triumphed at the PGA Championship in 2018 and 2019. His last professional tournament victory was at the Waste Management Phoenix Open on the PGA Tour in February last year, marking a gap of one year and eight months.

Peter Uihlein, who was the leader the day before, bowed his head after his third shot from a bunker in the third playoff hole landed in the water. Sergio Garcia (Spain) and Joaquin Niemann (Chile) missed the playoff by one stroke, finishing tied for third place (11-under par 199). Dustin Johnson (USA), who had already secured the 'LIV Golf MVP' title, shot 3-under par to leap to a tie for fifth place (10-under par 200). Phil Mickelson (USA), the 'LIV Golf Ambassador,' struggled, finishing tied for 35th place (1-under par 209).

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.