Despite losing in a playoff to fellow American Brooks Koepka at the LIV Golf Jeddah event, Talor Gooch had a significant reason to rejoice! His runner-up finish secured the overall individual title, earning him an impressive $18 million bonus prize, all at the Royal Greens Golf and Country Club.
Talor Gooch has been a part of the LIV golf tour since 2022 and the decision to switch from the PGA Tour to the LIV Golf League has finally proved to be a perfectly executed one for him. His earnings have more than doubled and his faith in himself as the “best in the world” was restored.
Talor Gooch on reaching the over individual title
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At the press conference held post round, he gave a short interview. He was wearing a pink tee shirt that added to the glow on his face from his recent feat. Further, he paired it with black cap and had his sunglasses at the back.
He pointed out to the event being special. He said, “Man its special you know again you know I’ve always felt that I was good enough to be a professional golfer and play against the best in the world.”
The stunning win of the title made him come out and proudly say he felt like, “one of the best players in the world” and that words can’t describe how he feels that very moment.
Talor Gooch saying he feels he’s “one of the best players in the world” simply adds to the shambolic state of ‘tour’ golf right now as there’s little way to validate his claim. pic.twitter.com/0eihxyd4pU
— Bryce Ritchie (@BRitchieGolf) October 15, 2023
The moment of this win was described as “Satisfying” by Gooch. However, his sentiments were not resonated amongst him fans and the wider golfing community.
How the golfing community took the title
The news of him getting the individual title for the season was not taken well by all the people who are the part of this golfing community.
Some had rather nasty things to say about the golfer. One tweet commented questioning his major record.
His Major Record would suggest otherwise
— Alasdair Reid (@ReidAlasdair) October 15, 2023
Some also questioned him calling himself the best golfer in the world since he only competed against “the same 48 players” according to a user who believes it’s the same 48 in “every tournament, in 3 round exhibition tournaments.”
I'm sorry, but there is just no way that you can claim to be one of the best in the world when you only play against the same 48 players every tournament, in 3 round exhibition tournaments.
— Sean McCloskey (@SeanMcC1984) October 15, 2023
People called out his “best player” claim when it came to majors.
He proved he’s nowhere near it when he played the majors this year. Dug meat
— Jamie MacK (@JamieMacKillop) October 15, 2023
Others went on to question his LIV Golf League joining altogether.
Difficult to assess from a guy who didn’t seem to know he was joining LIV. Also is he defining one of the best as top 10, 50 of 100?
— EatandSleepGolf (@EatandSleepGolf) October 15, 2023
People called him out for comparing LIV and RYDER CUP.
Was he the one that said Liv felt like a Ryder Cup 👀👀👀
— Dan Barlow (@Barlow260) October 15, 2023
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Some sidelined his performance and preferred commenting on his hat instead.
Cool hat though
— adam duncan (@adamdun66331319) October 15, 2023
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Despite a significant win, Talor Gooch’s self-proclaimed “best in the world” status faced criticism within the golfing community.
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