Sports_

The Masters: Brooks Koepka and Phil Mickelson results at Augusta show LIV players not ‘washed up’ | Golf News

[ad_1]

Three of the top six on The Masters leaderboard were LIV players, with Brooks Koepka sharing second with Phil Mickelson and Patrick Reed finishing tied-fourth; Jon Rahm secured a second major title with a four-shot win at Augusta National

Last Updated: 10/04/23 2:15am

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Highlights from the final round of the 2023 Masters at Augusta National

Highlights from the final round of the 2023 Masters at Augusta National

Brooks Koepka believes the LIV contingent delivered a strong message by showing they are not “washed up” after a string of strong performances at The Masters.

Koepka was one of 18 members from the breakaway circuit who featured in the opening major of the year, with the four-time major champion taking a two-shot lead into the final round before finishing tied-second behind Jon Rahm.

Six-time major winner Phil Mickelson shared second with Koepka on eight under, with fellow LIV golf member Patrick Reed a further stroke back in a share of fourth, with Koepka insistent it should come as no surprise that so many of them contended.

Jon Rahm is the 2023 Masters champion! Watch his best moments from the final round

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Jon Rahm is the 2023 Masters champion! Watch his best moments from the final round

Jon Rahm is the 2023 Masters champion! Watch his best moments from the final round

“We’re still the same people,” Koepka said after a final-round 75. “I know if I’m healthy, I know I can compete. I don’t think any of the guys that played this event thought otherwise, either.

“When Phil [Mickelson] plays good, we know he’s going to compete. P-Reed [Patrick Reed], the same thing. I think that’s just manufactured by the media that we can’t compete anymore; that we are washed up.

Brooks Koepka was leading heading into the final round at The Masters, but he recorded six bogeys and ended four shots behind Rahm

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Brooks Koepka was leading heading into the final round at The Masters, but he recorded six bogeys and ended four shots behind Rahm

Brooks Koepka was leading heading into the final round at The Masters, but he recorded six bogeys and ended four shots behind Rahm

“It is fractured, I guess, from the fans’ perspective. But as far as us, I think everybody saw it this week. It’s nice to see everybody. There’s no hard feelings pretty much. I think that’s the way everybody should see it.”

Golf ‘lost all the pettiness’ at Augusta

Mickelson charged up the leaderboard on Sunday with a round-of-the-day 65, firing seven birdies over his final 13 holes to post his best worldwide finish since winning the PGA Championship in 2021, with the 52-year-old grateful to have the opportunity to tee it up again at Augusta.

Phil Mickelson was grateful to be playing in the final round at The Masters at Augusta and said his 65 was as much fun as he could have playing golf

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Phil Mickelson was grateful to be playing in the final round at The Masters at Augusta and said his 65 was as much fun as he could have playing golf

Phil Mickelson was grateful to be playing in the final round at The Masters at Augusta and said his 65 was as much fun as he could have playing golf

“I thought it was exciting that this tournament rose above it all to have the best players in the world here and lost all the pettiness; that was great,” Mickelson said in his post-tournament press conference.

“I’m not saying it [LIV] is for everybody, but it’s been awesome for me and I love it. I’m excited to go play in Australia, but this tournament isn’t about what tour you play from.

“There’s players from all over, all over the world on many different tours, and you’re bringing the best players to play against each other in the majors. That’s what it’s all about. That’s what the game of golf should be.

“There’s always going to be, and should always be, a place for historical events like this, but it’s okay to have a little bit of different and variety in the game of golf.”

Three-time Masters champion Mickelson put on a superb final-round performance with five birdies in his last seven holes to claim joint-second spot

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Three-time Masters champion Mickelson put on a superb final-round performance with five birdies in his last seven holes to claim joint-second spot

Three-time Masters champion Mickelson put on a superb final-round performance with five birdies in his last seven holes to claim joint-second spot

Reigning Open champion Cameron Smith and 2020 Masters champion Dustin Johnson were among the other LIV players who made the cut, with Harold Varner III – who claimed tied-29th – also pleased to see so many of his colleagues impress.

“Looking at it right now, yeah, I guess they don’t suck,” Varner said. “Yeah, I think it’s good for golf. Don’t think about any tours, just play golf and see how they stack up.”

‘LIV players can still compete’

Masters chairman Fred Ridley said there had been a good “tone” between the PGA Tour and LIV golfers ahead of the tournament, with three players from each circuit ending up filling the top six on the leaderboard.

The Masters

April 11, 2023, 5:30pm

Live on

“The controversy of LIV was they only play three rounds, they haven’t played that many tournaments, these guys aren’t tested, but three of the top four were LIV players,” Butch Harmon told Sky Sports. “You’ve got Mickelson, you’ve got Patrick Reed – these are all the stars over on the LIV tour.

“They’ve proved to the world of golf they can compete with the rest of the players around the world. Yes, it’s a different league and it’s a different type of golf, but great players are great players, I don’t care where they play.”

Koepka gives his reaction to his final-round 75 at The Masters as he finished joint-second to Rahm at Augusta National

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Koepka gives his reaction to his final-round 75 at The Masters as he finished joint-second to Rahm at Augusta National

Koepka gives his reaction to his final-round 75 at The Masters as he finished joint-second to Rahm at Augusta National

Former PGA champion Rich Beem added: “I just look at it as the majors as being where we finally get everyone together to play the hardest golf courses with the best fields, and the winner takes all. I think the majors are going to be very exciting this year.”

What happens next?

LIV golf members will compete in all four majors, providing they are exempt, meaning there are at least three more opportunities this year for them to go toe to toe with their PGA Tour counterparts.

Oak Hill Country Club hosts the PGA Championship from May 18-21 ahead of the US Open at Los Angeles Country Club from June 15-18, before Royal Liverpool hosts The 151st Open from July 20-23.



[ad_2]

Source link

Jake

Jacob Keiter is a husband, a writer, a journalist, a musician, and a business owner. His journey to becoming a writer was one that was paved with challenges, but ultimately led him to find his true calling. Jacob's early years were marked by a strong desire for creative expression. He was always drawn to music, and in his youth, he played in several bands, chasing the elusive promise of fame and success. However, despite his best efforts, Jacob struggled to find the recognition he craved. It wasn't until he hit a low point in his life that Jacob discovered his love for writing. He turned to writing as a form of therapy during a particularly difficult time, and found that it not only helped him to cope with his struggles, but also allowed him to express himself in a way that he had never been able to before. Jacob's writing skills quickly caught the attention of others, and he soon found himself working as a journalist for The Sun out of Hummelstown. From there, he went on to contribute to a variety of publications, including the American Bee Journal and Referee Magazine. Jacob's writing style is reflective of traditional journalism, but he also infuses his work with a unique voice that sets him apart from others in his field. Despite his success as a writer, Jacob also owns another business, JJ Auto & Home, which specializes in cleaning. Jacob's commitment to excellence is evident in all of his endeavors, whether it be in his writing or in his business ventures. Today, Jacob is the author of two books and continues to inspire others through his writing. His journey to becoming a writer serves as a reminder that sometimes our darkest moments can lead us to our greatest achievements.

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *