07 July 2023 , 17:31
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Matthew Wolff says he is "beyond disappointed" after he was slammed by his LIV Golf captain Brooks Koepka ahead of this week's London event at Centurion.
Koepka did not hold back in criticising his teammate ahead of the opening round on Friday, claiming he had all but 'given up' on Wolff, while also labelling him a 'wasted talent'. The Smash GC captain alluded to the fact the former PGA Tour star had withdrawn from LIV's recent event in Washington ahead of the final round.
Koepka told Sports Illustrated : "I mean, when you quit on your round, you give up and stuff like that, that's not competing I'm not a big fan of that. You don't work hard. It's very tough.
"It's very tough to have even like a team dynamic when you've got one guy that won't work, one guy is not going to give any effort, he’s going to quit on the course, break clubs, gets down, bad body language, it's very tough. I've basically given up on him—a lot of talent, but I mean the talent's wasted.”
The six-time major champion's brutal comments came at a surprising time, with his team just 24 hours away from teeing off in the first round at Centurion.
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Ahead of Friday's play, Wolff issued an emotional response. The American issued his disappointment of hearing his captain's criticism via the media, and cited his mental health struggles for his recent problems on the course. "I read the SI [Sports Illustrated] interview with our Captain Brooks Koepka and it was beyond disappointing to me," he told Sports Illustrated.
"When I chose to join his Team in 2023, I did so with much optimism about my new home as part of Team Smash and equally as important the chance to be around and learn from a player of Brooks’s stature. Like everyone who has ever played the game at the highest level, I have had competitive moments in the past that I feel I have let myself down and even others in our new team environment.
Brooks Koepka slammed Matt Wolff (Getty Images)"This has been quite difficult for me. My challenges on and off the golf course with my mental health has been well documented. I deal with those challenges every day. However, while my 2023 season has not been all I had hoped for to this point, I have made positive strides in managing my life and feel Ike my game is turning for the positive. To hear through the media that our team leader has given up on me is heartbreaking.
"It’s not what a team member looks to hear from its leader, and I think we all know these comments should have been handled much differently. But I’m moving forward and won’t ever give up on myself. While on course results may not appear now to be positive indicators, I’m trying to win an even bigger game with my life."
It remains to be seen as to whether Wolff will stat with the Smash setup following LIV London, but for now the American is still out to do his best for the team this week. "I trust Brooks wants what is best for our team. But it’s hard to imagine his comments in his recent SI interview in any way line up with those priorities. This will be my last comment on this matter. I’m heading out today to the Centurion Club trying to help our team win this week. I appreciate everyone’s continued support and your respect for my privacy.”