Chase Koepka has landed an ace at LIV Golf Adelaide’s ‘watering hole’, sparking wild celebrations among spectators.
Key points:
- Koepka shot the ace at the par-three 12th hole
- He and his caddie were rained upon with beer cups as spectators celebrated
- Talor Gooch was the overnight tournament leader
With a massive crowd watching on in the gallery at the par-three 12th hole at the Grange Golf Club, Koepka landed the first hole in one of the tournament.
He made the green with ease via his tee shot, before the ball trickled into the hole as the crowd erupted.
Koepka celebrated with his caddie with an animated chest bump, as a swarm of beer cups – thrown by jubilant spectators — rained down upon them.
American Talor Gooch endured a bumpy ride to win LIV Golf’s inaugural Australian tournament by two shots.
Gooch, after posting consecutive 62s, shot a one-over 73 in Sunday’s final round to finish 19 under and claim the $5.97 million winner’s cheque.
The 31-year-old was two strokes clear of India’s Anirban Lahiri, with American Pat Perez, Patrick Reed, Charl Schwarzel and Cameron Tringle a further shot back at 15 under at the Grange in Adelaide’s west.
Australia’s Cam Smith shot a six-under 66 on Sunday to finish tied at 16-under.
Gooch started Sunday’s final round with a 10-shot cushion but, nearing his halfway turn, that lead was halved.
The one-time PGA Tour winner from Oklahoma struck some troubles during a double-bogey and two bogies in a four-hole stretch.
But three birdies in the round were enough to hold off Lahiri who came charging with an eight-under 64 featuring an eagle and six birdies.
Phil Mickelson had a pair of double-bogeys in a three-under round, 12-under for the tournament, while fellow major winner Dustin Johnson ended 13-under and Sergio Garcia 12-under.
The all Australian team captained by Smith, Rippers GC — Marc Leishman (11-under), Matt Jones (2-under) and Jed Morgan (1-under) — finished eighth of the dozen teams, well shy of the winner’s, Johnson’s 4Aces GC.
ABC/AAP