Koepka wins LIV Golf Invitational Jeddah after three hole play-off with Uihlein

SPORT — The winning Smash GC Team of l-r: Jason Kokrak, Chase Koepka, Brooks Koepka and Peter Uihlein. Image Credit: Supplied

Brooks Koepka (US) shot a final round of one under par 69, to tie with Peter Uihlein (US) on 12 under par in the 54-hole $25 million LIV Golf Invitational Jeddah over the 7,048 yards par 70 Royal Greens Golf & Country Club in Saudi Arabia.

Brooks won on the third play-off hole over the par five, 607 yard hole.

The first two play-off holes over hole 18, were halved in birdies and then the floodlights came into their own to complete the tournament in extra time.

Brooks made a third repeat birdie over the same hole to take the title, as Uihlein found the water with his third shot from the greenside bunker.

Four man team

Brooks also captained Team Smash GC for a double - with the four man team of younger brother Chase Koepka, Jason Kokrak and Uihlein.

For the Individual Event Brooks won $4 million and Uihlein $2.125 million and for the Team Event they shared $3 million between the team.

In the season long Individual Rankings over the seven events on the LIV Golf Invitational 2022 season: Dustin Johnson (US) had already won the winner’s bonus pool of $18 million, with this week confirming Branden Grace (RSA) collecting $8 million for second and Uihlein (US) picking up $4 million.

Captain Koepka commented on Team Smash GC this week, “We have been playing very well as a team - Pete (Uihlein) kind of led the way the last few weeks. We’ve had to play good. We played good in Boston, we did, and it’s nice to see everybody play well and everybody contribute and shoot some good scores. It was difficult. It was windy. So coming down 18, I just wanted to make sure that the team thing was wrapped up before me and Pete could kind of go at it.”

Knee replacement

Brooks continued about his own battle with his career threatening injuries over the recent year or so, “I mean, it’s been before LIV, when I blew my knee out and my foot was pointed that way, almost backwards and sideways. Eventually I’m going to have to have knee replacement in a few years. I wasn’t sure whether I could even move the same way and if I want to play if I could move the way I wanted. I’m fortunate be in the spot that I’m in right now. I just can’t wait to hang out with these guys. No offense, but just kind of behind closed doors. I think that’s what I’m looking forward to in sharing this. I mean, it’s pretty special. Like I said, it’s all kind of new to us, the team thing, maybe college was the last time we’ve seen it. And those wins in college were so much fun. So, I just can’t wait to get with these guys and just kind of be alone for a little bit.”

Dubai Golden VISA Awardee Anirban Lahiri (Ind) shot a final round 69 to finish in tied 10th on eight under par.