Brooks Koepka’s Tee-Smashing Meltdown Shocks LIV Dallas as Golf Star Withdraws

LIV Golf’s Brooks Koepka, known for his fierce competitiveness, let his frustrations boil over during the first round of LIV Dallas. The five-time major champion, playing for Smash GC, lived up to his team’s name in an unexpected way. After a wayward drive on the ninth hole, Koepka, 35, didn’t just slam his club—he obliterated a tee marker in a moment of raw emotion.

Struggling at six over par after eight holes, Koepka withdrew from the event, citing illness, according to LIV Golf officials. Reserve player Luis Carrera stepped in, though Koepka could return this weekend to contribute to his team’s score. This outburst comes on the heels of a solid U.S. Open performance earlier this month, where he tied for 12th, a stark contrast to his Dallas meltdown.

Koepka’s career is a highlight reel of resilience, with PGA Championship wins in 2018, 2019, and 2023, plus U.S. Open titles in 2017 and 2018. Before joining LIV Golf in 2022, he amassed nine PGA Tour victories and nearly $44 million in earnings. Last season, he became the first LIV golfer to secure five wins since the league’s launch, cementing his status as a golfing titan.

Meanwhile, Harold Varner III of 4Aces GC surged to the lead after the first round in Dallas, setting the stage for a dramatic weekend.