Brooks Koepka Cracks Driver At LIV Golf DC
The American damaged his driver on the sixth hole, but wasn't allowed to replace it until a few holes later
After claiming a fifth Major championship at Oak Hill, you could be forgiven for saying that Brooks Koepka wouldn't be on top form at LIV Golf DC, especially given that he was spotted multiple times, in the build-up to the tournament, at various sports events.
On the completion of his day, the American fired a level-par round of 72, with it then revealed that Koepka had damaged his driver during his front nine. From there, the 33-year-old was allowed to use a fresh driver for his back nine.
"Yeah. I warmed up with it on the range, and then the hole I hit it on out here, it cracked. Thank God it cracked now instead of coming down the stretch last week," joked Koepka, who actually rang a member of his team on the sixth hole to get the new club delivered.
When the new club arrived though, a rules official informed the recent PGA Championship winner that he would not be able to swap drivers as the damage was not severe enough.
"I guess the rule is it's got to be significantly damaged or something -- I'm not sure what the wording is, but the crack was, I don't know, not big enough or not damaged enough, and then the toe started to kind of cave in on the end. Once they saw the toe -- I kept calling them in every hole because the crack was getting worse, and the toe you could tell it was doing that. It happens. I've used it long enough, especially if you're going to hit it at those ball speeds."
Koepka went on to add that: "It just feels like you're hitting a marshmallow, honestly. It's a weird feeling. It feels like you hit it off the bottom back of the club. Like I said, I don't know what -- beyond damage or whatever wording they used, it's just weird. I don't know, I think golf is a little bit behind the times in ruling.
"If it's cracked, just replace it. If you damage it yourself, I get it, anger or anything like that. But I don't know, I just think -- it's weird. We know it's broken. Everybody agreed on that. That's just the rule. I don't know, it's part of golf, I guess."
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
Along with the damage to his driver, Koepka was also asked about his recent Major victory, and how many he believes he can secure in his career. Obviously, the American was confident with his answer, as he stated: "I've always said double digits. I think I've said that a few times. But yeah, I don't think it's unreasonable. The last few years -- it was just kind of like last year, I felt absent from the Majors, but even in '20 right after my surgery or '21, I was still contending. I don't see any reason why I can't. Your prime in golf is probably 30 to 40, so I've got another few good years in me."
Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.
Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.
Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?
Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°
Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°
Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°
Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW
Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°
Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
-
Butterfield Bermuda Championship Picks, Predictions And Odds
Some of the Golf Monthly team have selected a few golfers who we believe will be in contention at the Butterfield Bermuda Championship
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Atlanta Drive GC - Justin Thomas' TGL Team And Who Owns It
All you need to know about Atlanta Drive GC, who will have Justin Thomas in the team for TGL
By Paul Higham Published
-
PGA Tour Pair Clear Favorites As Early Odds Released For 'The Showdown'
Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler have been strongly tipped to triumph in their exhibition match against LIV golfers Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
The Showdown: Date And Course Set For Las Vegas TV Match Featuring McIlroy, Scheffler, DeChambeau And Koepka
More details on the venue and date for the made-for-TV contest featuring Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka have been released
By Mike Hall Last updated
-
Watch: Brooks Koepka Plays Hilarious Prank on Jon Rahm And Sergio Garcia Before European Championship Final Between Spain And England
The five-time major champion arrived to the tee sporting an England shirt, just hours before Spain face the Three Lions in the final of Euro 2024.
By Conor Keenan Published
-
Why Brooks Koepka Isn't Wearing LIV Golf Logos At The PGA Championship
The current PGA Championship holder is a LIV Golf captain but does not show any of the league's logos on his apparel or bag
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Brooks Koepka Warms Up For PGA Championship Defence By Sealing LIV Golf Singapore Victory
The American shot a final-round 68 at Sentosa Golf Club to win his fourth individual LIV Golf title
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
'We're Coming For That Green Jacket' - Jon Rahm, Brooks Koepka, And Sergio Garcia Backing LIV Golfer To Win The Masters
There are 13 LIV Golf players set to tee it up at Augusta National Golf Club next week - and it's fair to say that confidence is high among the group
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
'No Poaching' Players Clause Removed From PGA Tour-PIF Deal
A clause in the PGA Tour-PIF deal that prohibited poaching players from either the tour or LIV Golf has been removed after concerns it could break federal employment law
By Paul Higham Published
-
Michael Block Misses Out On ESPY As Scheffler Wins Golfer Of The Year Award
Michael Block missed out on an ESPY Award for his PGA Championship hole-in-one as Scottie Scheffler was crowned Golfer of the Year
By Paul Higham Published