It's no secret that Brooks Koepka hasn't played his greatest golf in 2025.
Sure, the five-time major champ recently put forth a solid showing at the U.S. Open, shooting 68-74-73-71 on the always difficult track at Oakmont Country Club to tie for 12th.
However, his two other major championship outings didn't go nearly as well, as he missed the cut at both The Masters and the PGA Championship. And in his first eight starts for LIV Golf, he earned just two top-10s, tying for seventh at Adelaide back in February and taking solo second in Singapore a month later, finishing five shots back of winner Joaquín Niemann.
Since then, though, he's failed to finish higher than 17th, and that streak will unquestionably continue, as Koepka will not place in this week's LIV event in Dallas, as he withdrew after playing just eight holes of Friday's first round with what's officially being called an "illness."
Lineup change for @SmashGC at #LIVGolf Dallas presented by Aramco.
— LIV Golf Communications (@LIVGolfComms) June 27, 2025
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…
Some, however, are calling the reasoning into question, given the way his round played out.
Starting his day on the second hole at Maridoe Golf Club, Koepka actually got off to a solid start, making birdie at the 655-yard par-5. But that was as good as things would get.
After a pair of pars, the 35-year-old carded a triple bogey on the 380-yard, par-4 fifth. And after a par at the sixth, he then recorded a second triple in three holes, marking down the dreaded snowman at the 550-yard, par-5 seventh.
Following a par at the eighth, Koepka yanked his tee shot to the left at the par-4 ninth, slammed his driver into the ground in disgust, and then proceeded to take a swing at the tee marker, sending it flying toward the gallery to his left, although it seemingly (and thankfully) hit a sign and not a patron. He finished the hole, ultimately making bogey to up his score to 6-over, but that was the end of his day.
It’s time we give Brooks Koepka some credit.
— Rick Golfs (@Top100Rick) June 27, 2025
Is this dangerous? Sure.
Should he be fined or suspended? Yes.
But…he wore pants like a professional. Even in the Dallas heat, he chose to act like he gets paid to golf.
Tip of the 🧢 to Brooks. Class!pic.twitter.com/5aNoO8ZagG
He was replaced by Smash GC teammate Luis Carrera, who shot 3-over in his 10 holes to close out the round.
Due to one of LIV Golf's odd rules, Koepka can choose to return to play his final two rounds, but his score will only count toward the team competition. At this point, though, it's safe to assume that we won't see him back on the course this weekend.
This obviously isn't the first temper tantrum we've seen on a tee box this season. Wyndham Clark flung his driver at signage after a poor tee shot during the final round of the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow, nearly hitting a volunteer.
And Rory McIlroy smashed a USGA tee marker on the 17th hole at Oakmont during the second round of the U.S. Open. While still not a great look, he at least did so with a downward motion that put absolutely nobody in danger.
Whether Koepka is reprimanded for his actions remains to be seen.