Unfortunate News on Brooks Koepka Emerges on Friday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Dibyendu Mondal | Last updated Jun 27, 2025 4:21 PM ET

The LIV Golf Dallas event at Maridoe Golf Club teed off on Friday. Early leaderboard action shows 4Aces GC and Crushers GC asserting dominance, with captains Dustin Johnson and Bryson DeChambeau carding solid opening rounds.

Abraham Acer of Fireballs GC also posted strong numbers, sitting at the top with others. Meanwhile, Smash GC, led by Brooks Koepka, is struggling near the bottom in team standings

On top of that, after playing 8 holes of the opening round, Koepka withdrew from the tournament. He was listed at +7 before pulling out, citing illness as the reason. He will be replaced by Luis Carrera for the remainder of the round.

This follows a rocky stretch in Koepka’s season. He missed the cut at both the Masters and PGA Championship, and despite flashes of form, such as a tie for 12th at the recent U.S. Open and a first-round 68, his overall performance has been inconsistent.

Koepka’s season reflects a pattern: strong ball-striking metrics like long driving and greens in regulation are undermined by short-game inconsistencies, particularly scrambling and putting, attributes critical on major-test courses.

Lineup change for #SmashGC at #LIVGolfDallas

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.

Stay tuned to https://t.co/VtmQQmqdC6 for more information. pic.twitter.com/gVOb5GVBgz
— Smash GC (@SmashGC) June 27, 2025

His LIV play includes just two top-10 finishes this year, and he sits outside the top tier in standings.

Koepka’s withdrawal not only impacts Smash GC’s team prospects in Dallas but also raises questions about his health and form in the lead-up to the next major—the Open Championship.

Health permitting, regaining short-game consistency and mental composure will be key for a bounce-back. Looking ahead, Koepka will likely focus on recovery and technical adjustments.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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