World number 1 Brooks Kepka (32, USA) won his first win at the LIV Golf run by Saudi Arabia and hit a jackpot worth 6.8 billion won.
In Game 7 of the LIV Golf Series held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on the 16th (local time), Kepka defeated Peter Yulein (USA) at the end of the third overtime and took his first win since moving to LIV Golf . In the final round of the day, Kepka reduced one hit to a final total of 12-under 198. The prize pool for the joint individual event with Yul Ha-in was $ 4 million (approximately $ 5.75 billion won). . Additionally, he also won the team event with his younger siblings Chase Kepka, Yulein and Jason Cockrack (USA), earning an additional $ 750,000. That’s $ 4.75 million (about 6.84 billion won) in this competition alone.
That day, while chasing Yulline by a stroke, Kepka recorded a birdie on the last 18th hole (par 5) and took the game to extra time. After three extra-time games, Koepka caught a birdie first and the championship was confirmed. It is the first time in a year and eight months since Kepka won the WM Phoenix Open (February) on the PGA Tour in 2021. Kepka has won the US Open twice in a row (2016 and 2017) and the PGA Championship (2018 and 2019), earning the nickname ‘great hunter’. After winning 8th place on the tour, he finished the US Open in June and joined LIV Golf.
This tournament was the last game of the season for LIV Golf. By winning the tournament, Kepka placed 2nd on the LIV golf season rankings and received a $ 8 million bonus. Season champion Dustin Johnson (USA) has been confirmed early. The champion’s bonus is $ 18 million. LIV Golf now has only the Team Championship, which will close the season in Miami next week.
Players who have moved to LIV Golf are not yet able to participate in the PGA Tour events. With this in mind, Kepka said: “It is regrettable that there is so much free time after the end of the season.” However, the US media criticizes Kepka, saying, “This is not something for players who want to spend a lot of time with their families and go to LIV golf.” This was a reference to the fact that most of the players, including Kepka, said they “have more time with their family” when she moved to LIV Golf, where the tournament is held once or twice a month. using the 54-hole shotgun method.
Reporter Jo Soo-young [email protected]
