### Brooks Koepka's LIV Golf Meltdown: A Frustrating Exit Amid Illness - Brooks Koepka, a five-time major champion, experienced a tumultuous first round at the LIV Golf Dallas tournament, culminating in his withdrawal due to illness after a visible display of frustration. He smashed a tee box marker and struggled significantly on the course, raising concerns among fans ahead of the upcoming Open Championship [https://nypost.com/2025/06/27/sports/brooks-koepka-withdraws-from-liv-golf-event-after-meltdown][https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/golf/blazing-mad-brooks-koepka-smashes-35467533]. ### Breakdown of Events Leading to Koepka's Withdrawal 1. **Initial Performance**: Koepka started the round with a birdie but quickly fell behind, carding a triple-bogey on the 4th and 7th holes, leading to a six-over-par score after just eight holes [https://yardbarker.com/golf/articles/brooks_koepka_doesnt_return_after_smashing_tee_marker_at_liv_golf_event/s1_17072_42389190]. 2. **Frustration Display**: After hitting a wayward drive on the 9th hole, Koepka smashed a tee box marker, sending it flying towards the crowd, which showcased his frustration with his performance [https://sports.yahoo.com/article/koepka-hits-tee-box-marker-110222224.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=YW5kcm9pZC1hcHA6Ly9jb20uZ29vZ2xlLmFuZHJvaWQuZ29vZ2xlcXVpY2tzZWFyY2hib3gv&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAG6zTt761lc7jjZmDadREZWhm4GYszZ6-3bMvfVsQfDHt23xj_-75MwItdDNKvsUCWz_ixeaFvFzTK1RTZkKwdO3VCaygWAIYOICc5lRr9NR_fYTSvlHgpLKYhyI3fnRod4rkbP1X6LgHKRjQCdRdZ4FXLw_l6GvEfHus_sYMF7k]. 3. **Withdrawal Announcement**: Following his outburst, Koepka withdrew from the tournament, citing illness. His team, Smash GC, replaced him with reserve player Luis Carrera for the remainder of the event [https://www.keloland.com/sports/sports-illustrated/779f8f58/brooks-koepka-smashes-tee-marker-before-withdrawing-from-liv-dallas]. ### Supporting Evidence of Koepka's Performance and Reaction - **Scorecard Summary**: - **Starting Hole**: Birdie - **4th Hole**: Triple-bogey - **7th Hole**: Triple-bogey - **9th Hole**: Bogey before withdrawal - **Total After 8 Holes**: 6-over-par [https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/golf/2025/06/27/brooks-koepka-smashes-tee-marker-at-liv-dallas-withdraws-after-8-holes]. - **Withdrawal Context**: Koepka's withdrawal was part of a larger trend, as he joined other players like Matt Wolff and Frederik Kjettrup who also withdrew from the event [https://www.golfmonthly.com/news/brooks-koepka-withdraws-liv-golf-dallas]. ### Conclusion: A Tumultuous Day for Koepka at LIV Golf Dallas - **Key Findings**: 1. **Performance Decline**: Koepka's initial strong start quickly deteriorated, leading to a significant score deficit. 2. **Emotional Outburst**: His frustration culminated in a dramatic display of anger, which has raised concerns about his mental state ahead of major tournaments. 3. **Health Concerns**: The withdrawal due to illness adds another layer of uncertainty regarding his fitness for upcoming competitions. - **Overall Implication**: Koepka's incident at LIV Golf Dallas not only highlights his struggles on the course but also raises questions about his readiness for future events, particularly the Open Championship [https://www.themirror.com/sport/golf/brooks-koepka-liv-golf-dallas-1232681].