Brooks Koepka has built his career on being brash, confident, and unfiltered – a golfer who says what others won’t and backs it up on the course.
But at LIV Golf Singapore, Koepka‘s trademark swagger may have gotten the better of him as a frustrating tournament unfolded, exposing cracks in the armor of one of the game’s fiercest competitors.
Heading into Singapore, Koepka didn’t shy away from stoking expectations, posting on social media with his usual confidence: “Right where I want to be… SmashGC onto Singapore.”
Yet as the rounds played out, that confidence seemed increasingly misplaced. Koepka, who had been dodging swirling rumors about a possible move back to the PGA Tour once his LIV contract expires, chose to walk into the event without addressing the noise – carrying the weight of speculation alongside the usual pressure to perform.
Koepka’s struggles exposed as words turn into regret
Koepka opened his tournament with a respectable but unspectacular round of -4, which left him tied for 15th. His scorecard featured five birdies and a single bogey, but it was clear from the start that he wasn’t keeping pace with leaders Cameron Tringale, Joaquin Niemann, and Dustin Johnson, who surged ahead at -8.
By Round 2, Koepka‘s frustration was becoming harder to hide. As others pushed further under par, he stalled, posting just two birdies and two bogeys, unable to find any rhythm.
But the boiling point came on the eighth hole, when after a wayward shot, he muttered under his breath: “Oh, you should go back to the Korn Ferry.” Quickly realizing that perhaps the shot wasn’t as disastrous as he first thought, he added, “I wouldn’t go there just yet.” Still, the offhand comment – dripping with sarcasm and self-criticism – revealed a player battling his own expectations as much as the course.
For Koepka, known for his mental toughness, this moment was a rare public crack in his demeanor. Once a master at staying composed under pressure, his words painted a picture of a player struggling to meet the high standards he’s set for himself.
A season slipping away? Koepka’s slump continues
Singapore is just the latest chapter in what’s been a disappointing 2025 season so far for Koepka. After dominating LIV last year – with two wins and four other top-10 finishes, including a statement victory at LIV Greenbrier – he’s been unable to recapture that form. In his three starts this year, he has only managed one top-10 finish, and a T35 finish in Hong Kong raised more eyebrows than applause.
Even worse for Koepka, his team, Smash GC, hasn’t fared much better. As rivals like Aces GC (-15), Torque GC (-13), and Fireballs GC (-12) surged in Singapore, Smash GC was left behind, struggling to stay in the mix. For a captain who prides himself on leadership, the team’s struggles only added to the pressure.
With one round left, Koepka still has a chance to salvage some pride, but it’s clear that his week in Singapore will be remembered less for his performance and more for his frustrated remarks.
What was supposed to be a stage for another Koepka showcase has instead become a reminder that even the most confident players can hit rough patches – and when you’re as outspoken as Koepka, those moments hit even harder.
As the rumors about his future swirl and the season progresses, Koepka will need to decide whether to adjust his approach – on and off the course – or risk watching a year that began with so much promise slip further away.
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