Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Brooks Koepka hangs on to win LIV - Orlando event ahead of Masters

Written by 
Published in Golf
Sunday, 02 April 2023 12:16

ORLANDO, Fla. — Brooks Koepka became the first multiple winner in LIV Golf when he closed with a 3-under 68, making a 4-foot par putt on the final hole for a one-shot victory over Sebastian Munoz.

LIV Golf-Orlando came one week before Koepka and 17 other players in the Saudi-funded league go to Augusta National for the Masters.

“Going into next week, that’s what you want to see,” Koepka said, who finished at 15-under 198 at Orange County National.

Munoz was trying to stay with Koepka along the back nine and didn’t go away easily. He fell two shots behind when he sent a bunker shot flying over the green at the par-5 14th. And while he did well to scramble for par, Koepka made a short birdie.

Munoz bounced back by holing a chip for birdie on the 16th to cut the deficit to one. But on the par-5 17th, the easiest hole at Orange County, the Colombian again hit a bunker shot over the green. He made another par, and Koepka gave him hope by missing a 5-foot birdie.

The final hole shed some insight into the team component of LIV Golf.

Koepka and Munoz both were about 40 feet away for birdie. Koepka went first and left the putt just over 4 feet away. Munoz needed to make birdie to force a playoff. However, his Torque team had a one-shot lead over the Smash team led by Koepka.

If he were to hit the putt too hard and three-putt for bogey, Munoz might have cost Torque the team title. He left it just under 4 feet short, and made the par for Torque to win a team competition for the first time.

“It’s weird, because I knew we were one stroke ahead on the team, so I couldn’t go extra. I knew I couldn’t be too aggressive,” Munoz said.

“He got the individual, we got the team. I call it a tie.”

Patrick Reed (68) and Dean Burmester (64) tied for third.

It might not feel like a tie for Koepka’s bank account. He won $4 million for winning. Koepka’s previous LIV title was in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia last year.

LIV players are reportedly planning a group celebration behind the 18th green next Sunday if one of the rebels wins the Masters.

He had been battling various injuries for nearly two years and feels as though he is healthy for the first time in years as he goes to Augusta.

“You look at everything I’ve been through, I’m finally healthy,” he said. “It’s good to play some good golf. I get chills thinking what I’m capable of.”

Koepka said Orange County National, formerly used for the PGA Tour’s qualifying tournament, was a good test for the Masters because the greens were fast and burned out, and the pins were on some slopes.

“If I would have hit a few putts harder, it would have easier,” he said of the tight finish with Munoz. “I’m just happy to win.”

Read 216 times

Soccer

Amorim defends Højlund despite scoring woes

Amorim defends Højlund despite scoring woes

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsRuben Amorim has insisted that Rasmus Højlund is not solely to blam...

Weekend review: Real Madrid still in title race, plus much more

Weekend review: Real Madrid still in title race, plus much more

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThroughout the course of the weekend, the LaLiga title race went fr...

Lewandowski (hamstring) in doubt for UCL semis

Lewandowski (hamstring) in doubt for UCL semis

EmailPrintBarcelona striker Robert Lewandowski is a major doubt for the Copa del Rey final and the C...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Rockets' defense 'good enough,' but offense lags

Rockets' defense 'good enough,' but offense lags

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsHOUSTON -- Silence enveloped the Houston locker room shortly after...

Butler's poise helps Dubs win Game 1 out of '1997'

Butler's poise helps Dubs win Game 1 out of '1997'

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsHOUSTON -- Jimmy Butler sized up Alperen Sengun, milked the shot cl...

Baseball

O's give up 24 runs in 'embarrassing' loss to Reds

O's give up 24 runs in 'embarrassing' loss to Reds

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsBALTIMORE -- The Baltimore Orioles began Sunday with right-hander C...

Padres' Arraez exits on stretcher after collision

Padres' Arraez exits on stretcher after collision

EmailPrintHOUSTON -- San Diego Padres designated hitter Luis Arraez was carted off after colliding w...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated