It’s been quite the year for Brooks Koepka. After struggling with injuries and leaving the PGA Tour for LIV Golf, Koepka charged back into the major spotlight in a big way, capturing his fifth major title at the PGA Championship one month after finishing second at the Masters.
Koepka also had a stellar year on LIV, securing his second win of 2023 at the season-ending LIV Jeddah event last weekend, which he also won last year.
If there’s one thing everyone knows about LIV, it’s the absurd amount of money they play for, and Koepka racked up quite the payout on Sunday. In fact, it was at least twice as big as Koepka thought.
Each individual LIV event winner receives a gargantuan $4 million in prize money, of which Koepka is well aware.
What he was not aware of Sunday was how much his win earned him in the season-long points race. Not, at least, until a reporter relayed the good news to the five-time major champ live on camera after the tournament, and his reaction was priceless.
“Did you have any idea that you finished third in the individual standings today with this win?” The reporter asked Koepka, fresh off his victory.
“I did?” A surprised Koepka responded.
“Yea, you did. You just won $4 million extra!”
“Sweet, that’s a good feeling,” Koepka said straight-faced, before starting to laugh. “I’m rich, thanks for breaking that news.”
In case you’re arithmetic has gotten away from you since grade school, in total Koepka took home $8 million for his Jeddah victory and finishing third in the season-long points race.
His surprisingly muted reaction to such a mind-bending financial windfall shows the effect enormous purses have had on pro golfers (Koepka won $3.15 million for his PGA win this year as well). After a while, it’s hard to keep track or appreciate all those millions.
And while it pales in comparison to Talor Gooch’s $20.25 million haul for winning the season-long race and finishing second on Sunday, Koepka’s winnings should last his family for a long time to come.
