It was a weekend to remember for Brooks Koepka and his LIV Golf team Smash GC after scooping the individual and team titles at The Greenbrier, but he faces the prospect of a tricky roster decision at the end of the campaign.
Five-time major champion Koepka produced a classy seven-under-par final round in West Virginia to reach 18-under for the week and force a playoff with Individual Championship leader Jon Rahm. And a par on the first extra hole was enough to secure the victory for the American, banking $4 million in prize money in the process.
Koepka was ably supported by his teammates, romping to victory in the team competition by three shots over Ripper GC, with the quartet splitting a further $3m in prize money. But they were without Graeme McDowell for the tournament, who was banned from the tournament for violating the league's anti-doping policy.
McDowell returned a positive test for the banned substance R-methamphetamine (levo-methamphetamine) during LIV's tournament in Nashville and June, and last week he was punished by the league. The Northern Irishman, who blamed the positive finding on an over-the-counter decongestant, was fined $125,000 in addition to his one-tournament suspension.
Smash regulars Jason Kokrak and Taylor Gooch finished in third and tied 11th respectively at The Greenbrier, with McDowell's stand-in replacement carding a steady five-under-par for the week to finish in a share of 37th, combining for a team score of 53-under.
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As a result of having to sit out the tournament, McDowell received no points towards the season-long order of merit and slipped to 27th place in the standings. The 45-year-old now finds himself in the Open Zone, bringing uncertainty to his LIV future.
Players who finish in the top 24 of the Individual Championship standings are in the Lock Zone, securing their place on their respective teams for next season. But players in the Open Zone effectively enter into free agency, and it will be up to team captain Koepka if he wants to keep McDowell around unless he can produce a big result at the season finale at Bolingbrook Golf Club in Illinois next month.
Former Ryder Cup star McDowell will be back in action for the final individual event of the year, and a top-10 finish should be enough to cement his place in the top 24. But if he struggles, his future in the league will be in Koepka's hands.
McDowell was in a similar situation at the end of last season when he was not offered a contract extension by the Cleeks when he finished in the Open Zone, and it appeared he could be locked out of the breakaway league. But he was handed a lifeline when Koepka signed him up for Smash.
The former world No. 4 has had a better season in his third year on LIV, with three top-10 finishes in 10 starts, but he still has work to do to secure his roster spot for next season.
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