‘The swagger is back’: Cool Koepka beats the heat to win US$4 million prize at LIV Golf Singapore
American is hitting top form ahead of his US PGA Championship defence later this month
AMERICAN golfer Brooks Koepka overcame several late challenges as he clinched the LIV Golf Singapore title at the Sentosa Golf Club on a sweltering Sunday (May 5) afternoon.
The 34-year-old, who is preparing to defend his US PGA Championship later this month, carded a three-under par 68 to win by two strokes from Australians Marc Leishman and Cam Smith.
There were others such as Thomas Pieters and Adrian Meronk who tried in vain to take his crown at the Serapong course, but Koepka fended them all off in style to claim the top prize of US$4 million.
Koepka, who plays for team Smash GC on the LIV Golf tour, kept his focus even when his lead was cut from three strokes to one. He eventually produced a final round three-under 68 to add to his 66 and 64 for a 15-under total.
The five-time Major champion from Florida made history as the first player to win four individual titles on the Saudi Arabia-backed breakaway tour.
“I feel good. It’s a lot better than I did last week (in Adelaide). It’s all starting to come around,” said Koepka.
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“I’ve put in a lot of work and I like the way things are trending. I just need to go back next week and make sure everything continues, do the right stuff, and go from there.”
In second place was Smith, who produced a seven-under 64 to finish on 13-under, while Leishman carded a 66 to end in third. Last year’s Singapore winner Talor Gooch’s score of 67 meant he finished fourth, followed by Tyrell Hatton (66) and Pieters (69) at 11-under.
Asked by reporters if he plays better under pressure, Koepka said: “I like to think so, but I think when there’s more on the line, it’s more enjoyable and that actually feels like real golf.
He claimed that “the swagger is back” as he looks to defend the PGA Championship that he won a year ago at the Oak Hill Country Club in New York. This year’s tournament takes place at the Valhalla Golf Course in Kentucky from May 16 to 19.
Birdies galore
Koepka bagged birdies on the fourth and fifth holes on Sunday, but his putt on the par-four 414-metre ninth slipped out and he suffered a bogey.
But he bounced back immediately by making a birdie on the par-four 10th, and added another on the tough par-four 15th that hugs water on the left.
“I just played very consistently and happy with the way I played all week. I made a couple of clutch putts today and the ball-striking was solid. I didn’t really think I made too many mistakes. And that’s a great feeling when it kind of feels easy,” said Koepka.
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