Brooks Koepka grabbed massive attention with his recent PGA Championship win. It was his fifth major victory and his third Wanamaker Trophy. However, his unparalleled skills and title wins aren’t the only highlights of his present career. He also became the first LIV Golf player to win a major tournament since its establishment. And this brought on humongous celebrations!
Neither LIV nor its CEO, Greg Norman, could have overlooked this significant win in the international arena. After all, they are still trying to make a place in the fans’ hearts! Hence, when the 2023 PGA Champion winner entered LIV Golf’s DC event’s arena, he was greeted with great pomp. But it seems like those celebrations and Koepka’s response to them have only pushed fans further away from accepting the Saudi-backed league.
Fans react to Brooks Koepka’s two-word reply
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On Thursday, as LIV Golf moved to DC to commence its latest event, Koepka received a pleasant yet surprising welcome from Greg Norman. The 68-year-old CEO welcomed the Smash GC captain with a balloon and a bottle of Champagne. Not just that, a number of people were also captured in the video, which soon after went viral, carrying placards and pom-poms as they cheered for Koepka.
Read More: Why Brooks Koepka is the Greatest Golfer of This Generation
The 2018 U.S. Open winner also took to Twitter to thank the league for its heartfelt gesture. However, his plain and elegant “Thank you” tweet was met with fans’ scrutiny. Many of them were quick to call out the league, claiming the entire celebration looked forced and staged. They commented:
Brooks come on. This was soooo staged by Greg Norman & LIV it’s not funny. This is what you sold your reputation for and you can’t be proud of it. I’m embarrassed for you.
— Bill Pearce (@billyboy1661) May 26, 2023
I like you brooks but LIV doing this weird promo is cringe
— Anchor Impact Fund Evangelist (@BroomeAxel) May 26, 2023
This is just silly on so many levels.
— Kyle lapnow (@KyleLapnow) May 26, 2023
Cringy af
— Jason (@PhillyHEN) May 26, 2023
Congrats on winning the pga, but this is cringe and somehow I don’t think this is something you would think is “cool” unless you’re being paid to go along.
— Josh Fultz (@jfultz01) May 26, 2023
That was so lame but you were a good sport about it. Greg’s a phoney however
— FFCJR (@FWC20) May 26, 2023
While some of the fans focused on lashing out at the greeting Brooks received in Washington, others found contentment in congratulating the player on his recent victory. They simply added:
Congratulations
— Todd Lippert lipperttodd@gmail.com (@todd_lippert) May 26, 2023
WAY TO GO BROOKS!!!
— Zack Smith (@Soonerfan310) May 26, 2023
Cool! Congratulations 🍾
— Jay Sully (@RealJaySully) May 26, 2023
Well deserved
— Ryan G. (@rygarz) May 26, 2023
Overall, though, the golf community did not appear to enjoy the ‘phoney‘ welcome. They called out CEO Norman and the Saudi-backed league for the same. Amidst the straightforward dislike, a few of the golf fans projected their stance through humor as well. They tweeted:
Please don’t leave us brooks parade
— Aaron Rost (@AaronRost) May 26, 2023
Autographed balloon will last ab as long as LIV
— sure is a hot one (@playpigeonss) May 26, 2023
Looks like the scene at my high school after we got home from winning the AA state championship, only thing missing was a few bottle rockets and some sparklers
— Tyler Arnold (@tylera0210) May 26, 2023
Me when my mom forced me to write a thank you card to my great aunt for the 2 dollar bill she sent me for my birthday
— Short Sternum Steve (@SternumSteve) May 26, 2023
As the golf community came forward with their opinions regarding the DC welcome, the fact that Brooks outplayed others in New York remained true. He showcased a brilliant mental state and clinched the victory to his name. Interestingly, the LIV golfer received not only a warm welcome for his mega-win but also a promise for a colossal amount as well.
The millions continue to flow in for Brooks Koepka
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Just days ago, soon after his victory in Rochester, another news story from LIV Golf made headlines, in which Koepka was promised an additional sum for his major win. As per the reports, the victor is to collect an additional one million dollars for his win at Oak Hill last week. This would boost the golfer’s winnings to well over $4 million for his stunning 2023 PGA Championship win.
It was LIV Golf Updates that tweeted regarding this auxiliary award. Although not much was followed by any confirmation regarding this amount, the 5-time major winner had certainly achieved a massive feat this year for both himself and his league. And this was reflected in the amiable atmosphere that welcomed him in DC, too. Well, evidently, not all fans would agree to that!
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Watch This Story: After a Successful LIV Golf Adelaide, $400M Worth CEO Greg Norman Set to Return to Australia With Another Big Announcement
What do you think of LIV’s celebrations of Koepka’s recent win? Do you agree with the rest of the golf world about them being stated? Share your thoughts in the comments below!