Brooks Koepka’s conceitedness takes its toll on him in one in every of his most tough moments

Brooks Koepka has constructed his profession on being brash, assured, and unfiltered – a golfer who says what others will not and backs it up on the course.

However at LIV Golf Singapore, Koepka‘s trademark swagger might have gotten the higher of him as a irritating event unfolded, exposing cracks within the armor of one of many sport’s fiercest opponents.

Heading into Singapore, Koepka did not draw back from stoking expectations, posting on social media together with his normal confidence: “Proper the place I need to be… SmashGC onto Singapore.”

But because the rounds performed out, that confidence appeared more and more misplaced. Koepka, who had been dodging swirling rumors a few potential transfer again to the PGA Tour as soon as his LIV contract expires, selected to stroll into the occasion with out addressing the noise – carrying the load of hypothesis alongside the standard stress to carry out.

Koepka’s struggles uncovered as phrases flip into remorse

Koepka opened his event with a decent however unspectacular spherical of -4, which left him tied for fifteenth. His scorecard featured 5 birdies and a single bogey, nevertheless it was clear from the beginning that he wasn’t preserving tempo with leaders Cameron Tringale, Joaquin Niemann, and Dustin Johnson, who surged forward at -8.

By Spherical 2, Koepka‘s frustration was turning into more durable to cover. As others pushed additional beneath par, he stalled, posting simply two birdies and two bogeys, unable to seek out any rhythm.

However the boiling level got here on the eighth gap, when after a wayward shot, he muttered beneath his breath: “Oh, it is best to return to the Korn Ferry.” Rapidly realizing that maybe the shot wasn’t as disastrous as he first thought, he added, “I would not go there simply but.” Nonetheless, the offhand remark – dripping with sarcasm and self-criticism – revealed a participant battling his personal expectations as a lot because the course.

For Koepka, identified for his psychological toughness, this second was a uncommon public crack in his demeanor. As soon as a grasp at staying composed beneath stress, his phrases painted an image of a participant struggling to satisfy the excessive requirements he is set for himself.

A season slipping away? Koepka’s droop continues

Singapore is simply the most recent chapter in what’s been a disappointing 2025 season to date for Koepka. After dominating LIV final yr – with two wins and 4 different top-10 finishes, together with a press release victory at LIV Greenbrier – he is been unable to recapture that type. In his three begins this yr, he has solely managed one top-10 end, and a T35 end in Hong Kong raised extra eyebrows than applause.

Even worse for Koepka, his workforce, Smash GC, hasn’t fared a lot better. As rivals like Aces GC (-15), Torque GC (-13), and Fireballs GC (-12) surged in Singapore, Smash GC was left behind, struggling to remain within the combine. For a captain who prides himself on management, the workforce’s struggles solely added to the stress.

With one spherical left, Koepka nonetheless has an opportunity to salvage some satisfaction, nevertheless it’s clear that his week in Singapore might be remembered much less for his efficiency and extra for his pissed off remarks.

What was purported to be a stage for an additional Koepka showcase has as an alternative change into a reminder that even essentially the most assured gamers can hit tough patches – and if you’re as outspoken as Koepka, these moments hit even more durable.

Because the rumors about his future swirl and the season progresses, Koepka might want to determine whether or not to regulate his method – on and off the course – or threat watching a yr that started with a lot promise slip additional away.