Smash GC Captain Brooks Koepka leads by three shots heading into Sunday's final round. (Photo by Charles Laberge/LIV Golf)
15 OCTOBER, 2023 - SHANK, BY MATT HOOPER/LIV GOLF STAFF: BROOKS KOEPKA HAS HAD A YEAR TO REMEMBER - WINNING IN ORLANDO, CLINCHING A FIFTH MAJOR AT OAK HILL, AND REPRESENTING THE USA AT MARCO SIMONE IN THE RYDER CUP. ON SUNDAY HE HAS THE CHANCE TO CROWN HIS SEASON WITH ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL VICTORY, AND RETAIN THE LIV GOLF JEDDAH TITLE. THE 2023 PGA CHAMPION SPOKE TO THE MEDIA FOLLOWING HIS SECOND ROUND ON SATURDAY, AND VOICED HIS FRUSTRATIONS AT THE MAJORS NOT COUNTING FOR THE LIV GOLF RANKINGS - "The majors don't count, so that's a big stick-to-ya. I know they do in the FedExCup [on the PGA Tour]. I mean, on that front, it is kind of disappointing. I feel like that was the biggest win of the year, and it doesn't count for anything out here."
The Smash GC captain won here last year after opening with a 62. He matched that score on Saturday, shooting a bogey-free 8-under round in which he opened with six birdies in his first eight holes. At 12 under for the tournament, he leads Fireballs GC Captain Sergio Garcia and the Crushers’ Charles Howell III by three strokes, with DeChambeau and Scott Vincent – who also shot 62 on Saturday – another stroke back.
Koepka started the tournament too far back in points to challenge for the Individual title, but he does have an opportunity to finish third in the standings and claim a $4 million bonus. He must repeat as tournament champion and hope DeChambeau finishes no better than 14th.
“Just keep doing what I’m doing,” Koepka said. “Seems to be working since I’m at the top.”
Koepka started the tournament too far back in points to challenge for the Individual title, but he does have an opportunity to finish third in the standings and claim a $4 million bonus. He must repeat as tournament champion and hope DeChambeau finishes no better than 14th.
“Just keep doing what I’m doing,” Koepka said. “Seems to be working since I’m at the top.”
Talor Gooch of RangeGoats GC shot a 64 on Saturday at LIV Golf Jeddah presented by ROSHN. (Photo by Jon Ferrey/LIV Golf)
THE THRILLING LIV GOLF LEAGUE TITLE RACE IS GOING DOWN TO THE FINAL DAY OF THE SEASON, WITH EACH OF TALOR GOOCH, CAMERON SMITH AND BRYSON DECHAMBEAU STILL ABLE TO CLINCH THE SEASON-LONG CHAMPIONSHIP WITH A GOOD PERFORMANCE AT ROYAL GREENS. Although Talor Gooch isn’t atop the tournament leaderboard through two rounds of LIV Golf Jeddah presented by ROSHN, he does lead the projections for the Individual Champion race.
If he plays well Sunday and everything falls his way, the RangeGoats GC star will earn a memorable season-long title, as well as the $18 million bonus. The final round at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club will complete the regular season competition for the crown.
“I think everyone knows what’s on the line tomorrow, and that’s going to build the intensity of it,” Gooch said. “… It’s such an incredible opportunity, so you’ve just got to take it in stride and just embrace it.
“I knew it was going to come down to Sunday.”
If he plays well Sunday and everything falls his way, the RangeGoats GC star will earn a memorable season-long title, as well as the $18 million bonus. The final round at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club will complete the regular season competition for the crown.
“I think everyone knows what’s on the line tomorrow, and that’s going to build the intensity of it,” Gooch said. “… It’s such an incredible opportunity, so you’ve just got to take it in stride and just embrace it.
“I knew it was going to come down to Sunday.”
Starting the tournament in second place in the overall standings behind Ripper GC Captain Cameron Smith, Gooch is now projected into the top spot after his 64 on Saturday moved him into a four-way tie for ninth on the tournament leaderboard at 6 under, six shots behind tournament leader Brooks Koepka.
Smith is at 2 under after his 68 and is tied for 25th, which earns no points and would drop him to No. 2 in the Individual standings.
The other player with Individual Champion aspirations is Crushers GC Captain Bryson DeChambeau, who made a big charge Saturday with a 7-under 63 that leaves him at 8 under and tied for fourth. DeChambeau needs to finish in the top three to have any chance at the title, but his fate also depends on how Smith and Gooch finish.
“All I’m focused on tomorrow is winning this tournament, and the rest will take care of itself,” DeChambeau said. “The job is not even close to being done. We’ve got 18 more holes.”
Smith is at 2 under after his 68 and is tied for 25th, which earns no points and would drop him to No. 2 in the Individual standings.
The other player with Individual Champion aspirations is Crushers GC Captain Bryson DeChambeau, who made a big charge Saturday with a 7-under 63 that leaves him at 8 under and tied for fourth. DeChambeau needs to finish in the top three to have any chance at the title, but his fate also depends on how Smith and Gooch finish.
“All I’m focused on tomorrow is winning this tournament, and the rest will take care of itself,” DeChambeau said. “The job is not even close to being done. We’ve got 18 more holes.”
WINNING THE LIV GOLF LEAGUE TITLE CARRIES AN $18MILLION REWARD, BUT AS YET IT DOESN'T EARN THE CHAMPION A SPOT IN THE MAJORS OR ANY OTHER PRESTIGIOUS TOURNAMENT WORLDWIDE, BUT IT IS THE BIGGEST THING ANY PLAYER OUT HERE CAN ACHIEVE, AND FOR IT TO COME DOWN TO THREE PLAYERS ON THE FINAL DAY IS SPECTACULAR.
AN UNCONTRIVED, SIMPLE POINTS SYSTEM. PLAY WELL, EARN POINTS, WIN THE TITLE.
