Brooks Koepka claimed nobody believed him before debunking theory about LIV Golf star

Brooks Koepka has claimed his runner-up finish at last year’s Masters only proved to “everybody else” that he was back to his best.

The injury-hit LIV Golf star led by four shots at the end of Saturday’s play before finishing two shots behind champion Jon Rahm. The American then won the US PGA the following month to take his Major tally to five – only one behind Sir Nick Faldo.

Speaking before LIV Miami, Koepka was asked if his tied second finish at Augusta had proved to him he could still compete at the top level.

“I already knew that,” he said. “I think it was more, I kept telling everybody, but nobody believed me. I think it was more validation for everybody else.

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“I always thought I was going to win. Statistically, it’s your best chance to win a major. I’ve already done my prep, man. Just trying to figure out and make any last-second tweaks I can. This is kind of my time.”

Rahm’s win at the time was seen as a victory for the PGA over LIV Golf. But less than 12 months on and the Spaniard went back on his word to join the breakaway league.

The 2023 Masters champion opened up on his decision to join LIV, admitting that money was ultimately a deciding factor. “I’ve been very happy,” he said. “But there is a lot of things that LIV Golf has to offer that were very enticing.”