13 October 2023 , 19:01
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Brooks Koepka was caught calling himself a 'f****** dumba***' during his opening round of LIV Golf Jeddah at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club on Friday.
Koepka's self-inflicted rant came at the par-four 17th at the Saudi course after finding the bunker down the left-hand side of the green. After playing his shot out of the sand he left his attempt well short of the hole, and took out his anger on himself.
With the live LIV cameras rolling, Koepka was heard crying: "You f****** dumba**," before brutally adding: "Go f*** yourself." The five-time major champion was quick to bounce back though, as he went on to save par.
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All in all, it was an impressive day for Koepka, who finds himself one shot behind leader Marc Leishman following his opening 18 holes. The highlight of his day came at the par-four ninth after the 32-year-old made an eagle before going on to shout a four-under-par 66 for his round.
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His opening day showing sees him take a share of second place alongside former Ryder Cup teammate Dustin Johnson and fellow countryman Harold Varner III. Discussing his hole-out at the ninth following his round, the American gave a brutally honest account.
Brooks Koepka found the bunker at the 17th (NUCLRGOLF/Twitter)"It went in. I don't know what else to tell you. It went in," he said when asked how it played out. "A little bit of luck involved for any shot to go in, but it was a good shot, too, so it was nice." Koepka headed into the week with a chance of finishing third in LIV's season-long standings, having won once on the breakaway circuit in 2023.
In another honest answer though, Koepka revealed his displeasure at the format of the race for the individual crown, after his major victory at the PGA Championship earned him no points in LIV's Order of Merit. Quizzed on whether the thought of coming third had crossed his mind he replied: "No, just trying to play good golf. Couldn't care less.
"The majors don't count, so that's a big stick-to-ya. I know they do in the FedExCup. I mean, on that front, it is kind of disappointing. I feel like that was the biggest win of the year, and it doesn't count for anything out here."
Just three players have the chance of taking home the £15 million prize in Jeddah, with Cam Smith, Talor Gooch and Bryson DeChambeau making up the top three heading into the week.