Brooks Koepka Smashes Tee Box at LIV Dallas, Withdraws with Illness?

Newsweek

5 hours ago

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Brooks Koepka just pulled a Rory McIlroy move, but in a way that might result in a penalty. During the 2nd round of the U.S. Open at Oakmont earlier this month, McIlroy smashed a USGA tee marker on the 17th tee after a poor drive.
Though the damage was minimal, the USGA later confirmed he was fined an undisclosed amount for violating Rule 1.2a, which governs player conduct.
Fast forward to today at LIV Golf Dallas, Brooks Koepka found himself in a similar situation. Only this time, it ended with a smashed tee marker, and a more shocking news - withdrawal due to illness?
OAKMONT, PENNSYLVANIA - JUNE 13: Brooks Koepka of the United States looks on from the 16th green during the second round of the 125th U.S. OPEN at Oakmont Country Club on June 13, 2025 in...
OAKMONT, PENNSYLVANIA - JUNE 13: Brooks Koepka of the United States looks on from the 16th green during the second round of the 125th U.S. OPEN at Oakmont Country Club on June 13, 2025 in Oakmont, Pennsylvania. (Photo by) More
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It occurred during the LIV Dallas first round. Koepka, already 6-over through eight holes, yanked his tee shot left on the par-4 9th.
Frustrated, he slammed his driver into the turf and then took a full swing at the tee marker, sending it flying toward the gallery.
🚨😳⛳️ #NEW — Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 1st round of LIV Dallas due to illness. He was +7, smashing a tee box marker due to poor play. LIV communications reports that Brooks could return this weekend but the score would only count towards the team. @TrackingKoepka pic.twitter.com/gQUG6UxbyL — NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) June 27, 2025
The outburst came just moments before he bogeyed the hole, pushing his score to +7. He would go on to play the 10th and 13th, both bogeys, before declaring his withdrawal after the 14th hole.
LIV Golf later confirmed the withdrawal was due to illness. "Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the 1st round of LIV Dallas due to illness," the league's communications team posted.
"Reserve Luis Carrera will replace him for the remainder of Rd. 1. Their combined score will count only for the team total".
Lineup change for @SmashGC at #LIVGolf Dallas presented by Aramco.
Brooks Koepka departs after 8 holes with illness.
Reserve Luis Carrera to replace him for remainder of Rd. 1. Their combined score will count only for the team total.
Koepka could return this weekend to… — LIV Golf Communications (@LIVGolfComms) June 27, 2025
Koepka is eligible to return for the weekend rounds, but any scores he posts will count solely toward Smash GC's team leaderboard.
While LIV did not specify the nature of Koepka's illness, reports suggest he had been "feeling under the weather all week."
The timing, however, raised eyebrows, especially given the visible frustration and the violent tee box moment just minutes before his exit. As of now, there's been no official word on whether Koepka will face disciplinary action for the outburst.
The withdrawal also means Koepka risks his chance at a share of LIV Dallas's $25 million purse. It's another blow in what's been a disappointing season for him.
Brooks Koepka's 2025 season
Koepka missed the cut at both the Masters and PGA Championship, his first back-to-back missed cuts at majors. He showed signs of life with a T12 finish at the U.S. Open.
"From the first weekend in April until about June, you didn't want to be around me," he admitted earlier this month. "It drove me nuts. It ate at me. I haven't been happy. It's been very irritating."
Despite two top-10 finishes this season, including a solo second in Singapore, Koepka has struggled to find consistency.
His short game has been particularly shaky, and his putting struggles at Augusta were well-documented.
He's also been candid about his swing mechanics being off by "eight to nine inches" earlier this year, something he's worked to correct with longtime coach Pete Cowen.
Whether Koepka returns to the course this weekend remains uncertain. But the Smash GC captain lived up to his team's name, just not in the way he intended.
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