Brooks Koepka & ‘Uncle’ John Daly End LIV Golf-PGA Tour Rivalry at Valhalla Leaving Fans in Awe: ‘How Cool It Is’

The PGA Championship has surprisingly heated up with the PGA Tour and LIV Golf divide. More so after Jon Rahm’s press conference yesterday, which invited some strong remarks from Golf Channel analyst, Aaron Oberholser. The defending champion, Brooks Koepka, though, is cool as a cucumber. 

The five-time major champion has traveled with his son, Crew Koepka. It was about time the toddler was introduced to another member of the extended family. John Daly. The reigning champion took his son to meet the former champion during the PGA Championship dinner. Captioning the picture, Brooks Koepka tweeted, “Uncle @PGA_JohnDaly.” The veteran golfer, too, retweeted, captioning, “I think he’s sayin…Uncle Santa.”

The ‘family affair’ dates back to 2019, when Daly missed the cut that year and spent the rest of the week with Koepka’s father. Daly admires the five-time Major champion. But more than that, he admires his pop, Bob. Daly admired how the former West Virginia Wesleyan pitcher never pushed around his son. 

Daly told Golfweek four years ago, “Brooks Koepka, I’ve got him calling me Uncle John now because me and his dad got along so good at the PGA in New York last year. I love Brooks, but I love his dad more though, man. He is one cool cat. And he doesn’t push Brooks. I’m kind of like a father to my son like Brooks’ dad is to him. I stay away. Do your thing. And I respect him for that.”

That was before the nine-time PGA Tour winner switched to LIV Golf. Daly, despite his earnest desire to join the PIF-backed side, had to stay back at the PGA Tour Champions. The sentiment on the internet reveals he would still be welcome there. 

Fans want John Daly to join Brooks Koepka at LIV Golf

Daly has called LIV Golf better than the PGA Tour and the PGA Tour Champions. “The Prince of Saudi Arabia is a great guy and he’s given so much money to golfers that deserve it,” Daly told Piers Morgan two years ago. The former PGA Champion, in fact, ‘begged’ Greg Norman, but the Great White Shark didn’t buzz. 

Netizens are still batting for him, though. One user wrote, “LIV Golf is a perfect home for John. It would be great for fans to see him outside of the US.” A section of fans believed Daly was the answer to LIV’s dwindling TV ratings. The enthusiasm of Adelaide hasn’t been found in other LIV events. But Daly is the panacea for this fan. “Get @PGA_JohnDaly on the LIV Tour, attendance and interest will skyrocket!”

Safe to say, Daly would’ve been the poster boy of the league that bills itself as ‘Golf but louder.’ At Valhalla, the 58-year-old was ripping darts with a cigarette hanging from his lips. One user wrote, “That kid is going to frame that picture when they realize how cool it is.” Another user wrote, “John is still the people’s man… love him… good luck to both of you guys this week…”

John Daly has been paired with Lee Hodges, and Robert MacIntyre on the first two rounds. Whereas, Koepka will tee off at 8.37 AM from the 10th tee on Thursday, pairing with Max Homa and Jordan Spieth.