Brooks Koepka’s final-round implosion at the Masters has highlighted a glaring detail about LIV golfers in their ongoing battle with the PGA Tour. The American started the final round at Augusta on Sunday with a four-shot lead from Jon Rahm, but ended up four shots back as the Spaniard won his second career major.
As many pointed out before the Masters, the issue for LIV players at the four golf majors appeared to be whether or not they could compete for 72 holes – given the Greg Norman-led LIV circuit features 54 hole-events only. The lack of competitive play over 72 holes appeared to bite Koepka in the backside on Sunday as he faded badly in the final round after a sparkling first three.
Koepka had seemingly been on track to be LIV Golf’s first major winner, however the American couldn’t buy a birdie. As Rahm moved to 10-under through nine holes in the final round, Koepka went 19 consecutive holes without a birdie.
Many were quick to highlight the fact that Koepka had faded after not playing a 72-hole event for months. “Poor Koepka, 72 holes did him in. This ain’t LIV buddy, you don’t get a trophy for three rounds,” one pundit wrote. Another commented: “Could see the Brooks meltdown coming. When was his last 4 round week?”
Rahm, who plays on the PGA Tour, had no such troubles as he surged to the top of the leaderboard and watched Koepka tumble. After 14 holes in Sunday’s final round, Rahm had a four-shot lead at 12-under after bogeys from Koepka at No.4, No.6, No.9 and No.14.
The Spaniard maintained his play for the remainder of the round, winning by four shots from Koepka and Phil Mickelson – who both finished eight-under. Koepka ended up three-over in the final 18 holes, while Rahm closed with a three-under final round.
