The nightmare of traditionalists has turned into reality. A year after facing extensive criticism and ridicule aplenty, the LIV Golf Series can proudly claim to have its own major champion in Brooks Koepka.
The news comes as a pleasant one for LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman. He would have surely watched the Sunday celebrations on rewind. However, as much as he’d have enjoyed it, the former Aussie golfer would have been disappointed in his plan not being followed to the word at the Oak Hills golf course.
Greg Norman’s humble ask for a joint celebration
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Brooks Koepka’s victory at the PGA Championship sent ripples across the world. The golfing world realized the prospect of LIV Golf and its players’ dominance. A year into its inception, the event would have caused a party celebration at the LIV headquarters.
Indeed, the 68-year-old would have been praying for a LIV golfer to lift the title after his comments during the Masters Tournament. Norman was uninvited at the Augusta National for its premier event last month, where Koepka managed to keep everyone on the hooks.
Proudly, the two-time Open Championship winner had claimed that all LIV golfers would gather around to congratulate a win of one of their own. “If one of them wins, then the other 17 will hang around and be there to congratulate him around the 18th green,” Norman had said. “Could you imagine what a scene that would be, all these players hugging the winner? You only see things like that in the Ryder Cup, although it’s happening in our events more and more.”
Unfortunately, his ordeal was left incomplete, as Koepka succumbed in the final round to lose the top spot at the Masters. However, the 33-year-old didn’t leave any stone unturned on Sunday at the PGA Championship, where he clinched his fifth major championship.
But forget Norman’s piece of advice, Koepka sent a brutal message when asked about his post-victory-celebrations.
Did LIV golfers defy the orders of Greg Norman?
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Despite sealing victory with a comfortable two-stroke margin, none of the LIV golfers made a huddle to congratulate Koepka on his win. Ironically, players from the opposite side made their compliments known, from PGA Tour paradigmatic Rory McIlroy to the PGA of America’s new hero, Michael Block.
Indeed, only a handful of LIV golfers even congratulated Koepka on social media within 24 hours of his monumental victory. Critically, the former World No. 1 was asked whether he had contacted Norman to present him with the good news. But the golfer plainly rejected it and claimed he had only talked to his wife, Jena Sims, post his victory.
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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
While the actions can be waived off in the name of euphoria, there are certain aspects that need another insight. Greg Norman and LIV Golf have triumphed over a significant milestone. Koepka’s legacy is set to be engraved in its history. The PGA Championship winner will be welcomed back to the next LIV event with grand celebrations. However, one can’t help but think about its absence yesterday at the Oak Hills course.