Getty Image / David Cannon
When LIV Golf had its first event in 2022, the Saudi Golf League was almost instantly hated by a vast majority of golf fans. After all, the funding source is morally dubious, and it threatened to take some of the good players away from our television sets during PGA Tour Broadcasts. A lot of great players left the PGA Tour to head to LIV for big payouts, and one of those was Brooks Koepka.
But, the big question was whether the limited schedule of only 14 tournaments, in front of smaller crowds, with no cut and high amounts of guaranteed prize money, would hurt LIV players as they tried to win majors.
And, the theory had some merit when Brooks Koepka melted down in the final round of the Masters in April after having the 54-hole lead. But, Koepka (-9) won the PGA Championship this weekend by two shots over Viktor Hovland and Scottie Scheffler, becoming the first LIV player to win a major while a member of the LIV Tour, and casting aside a lot of doubts about LIV.
Brooks Koepka wins the PGA Championship for his fifth major title. pic.twitter.com/fG7YqHvWgn
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 21, 2023
Two of the last three majors have been won by LIV players, as Cam Smith won the Open Championship last July before switching to the LIV Tour. And, Golf Twitter is full of takes on what the win by Brooks Koepka means for golf.
Brooks Koepka is an all-time great. What a unique career. Wasn't good enough to go to Florida. Cut his teeth on the Challenge Tour. Broke through late. Wins 4 majors in 3 years. Loses game, confidence. Injuries. Beefs. LIV. Blows the Masters. Now, BACK. As many majors as Seve.
— Dan Rapaport (@Daniel_Rapaport) May 21, 2023
The circuit that does not receive OWGR points, puts on “exhibitions” littered with “washed up” players that “no one cares” about, and the one the “golf media” doesn’t talk about…
Yes THAT circuit, LIV, now has two out of the last three major winners.Congrats to Brooks Koepka! pic.twitter.com/5FQmYufD5Q
— Sam Humphreys (@SamHumphreys34) May 21, 2023
Brooks Koepka winning the PGA Championship after he & Phil finished 2nd at the Masters. A monumental last 6 weeks for the golf landscape. Brooks surpasses Rory in majors. A current LIV player wins a major for the 1st time. Implications are endless. What a time to be a #golf fan.
— Riggs (@RiggsBarstool) May 21, 2023
Congratulations Brooks Koepka on winning your 5th major championship and climbing back to the top of the mountain. LIV golf now actively holds 1/2 of men’s golf major championships. LIV’s not just here to stay, they’re here to win. pic.twitter.com/qbi7FET8d1
— Tour Pro 🏌️♂️ (@OfficialTourPro) May 21, 2023
Although I’m anti-LIV, a healthy Brooks Koepka is a DAWG and could be in the conversation for best in the sport. Great great win.
Even though I do find it very weird that a LIV player is the winner of the PGA Championship lmao
— Adam Avin (@_adamavin) May 21, 2023
It’s the fifth Major Championship of Brooks Koepka’s career.