“Kind of sucks” – Brooks Koepka becomes latest star golfer to join LIV Golf Series; Collin Morikawa ‘here to stay’

“Kind of sucks” – Brooks Koepka becomes latest star golfer to join LIV Golf Series; Collin Morikawa ‘here to stay’

Brooks Koepka and Collin Morikawa

Four-time major champion from the USA, Brooks Koepka is the latest golfer to leave the PGA Tour for the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Invitational Series. The 32-year-old is now expected to play in the second 54-hole, 48-man tournament that runs from 30 June to 2 July in Portland, Oregon.

According to ESPN, Koepka, who was recently seen at the USA Open at The Country Club, will join compatriots Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson and Bryson DeChambeau in the new $250m (£200m) eight-event series. Earlier, the Tour suspended as many as 17 members who played in the inaugural LIV event.

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“I’m here at the U.S. Open,” Brooks said while criticizing reporters last week for casting a “black cloud” over the US Open with questions about LIV Golf. “I’m ready to play the U.S. Open, and I think it kind of sucks, too, you are all throwing this black cloud over the U.S. Open. It’s one of my favourite events. I don’t know why you guys keep doing that. The more legs you give [LIV Golf], the more you keep talking about it.”

Collin Morikawa denies rumours of leaving PGA Tour 

Collin Morikawa
Collin Morikawa

Meanwhile, Colin Morikawa has cleared that he will not become the latest PGA Tour golfer to defect for LIV Golf. The Californian golfer issued a message for the fraternity via his official Twitter handle. 

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He tweeted: “Just your #11 money winner on PIP here to say good morning to everyone! Last week at my press conference, I said the media loves creating drama. Sure enough, I woke up this morning to everyone thinking I’m next. Not to say I told you so but…I told you so. 

“To state for the record, once again, you all are absolutely wrong. I’ve said it since February at Riviera that I’m here to stay on the @PGATOUR and nothing has changed. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got some cereal to pour in my milk.”

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