CNN
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An emotional Brooks Koepka claimed the playoff victory in the final individual event of the LIV Golf Invitational Series in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Sunday.
The four-time major champion edged fellow American Peter Uihlein on the third extra hole after the duo finished 12 under as Koepka sealed his first title on the inaugural tour and his first win since his triumph on the PGA Tour – at WM Phoenix Open – in February 2021.
The victory secured the 32-year-old a $4 million reduction in tournament prize money, with runner-up Uihlein taking home $2.1 million.
The $4 million payout is triple Koepka’s total earnings for the 2021-22 PGA Tour season, where he earned $1.3 million from 16 events, according to the Tour’s website.
Over the past few years, Koepka had been plagued with multiple injuries, revealing he “dislocated and broke” his right knee after tearing his left patellar tendon in 2019.
“I blew my knee and my foot was almost pointing backwards and to the side,” a visibly emotional Koepka told reporters.
“The last two years, they haven’t been fun. The road has been long. I didn’t know if my career was over for half a second… I wasn’t sure I was going to play.
“So it’s good to be able to come back and be able to win.”
Alongside his brother Chase Koepka, Uihlein and Jason Kokrak, the four-time major champion also took victory in the corresponding team classification.
Later this month, a tag team tournament in Miami will offer a $50 million pot – marking the final event of the premier LIV golf series.
For the youngest, he seems ready to secure him a new set of wheels.
“Honestly, for me the big thing today was winning the team,” Koepka said.
“I told my brother that I would buy him a Lambo [Lamborghini] if he won us the team thing, then now i have to go buy one.
Meanwhile, Adrian Otaegui has become the first LIV Golf Series player to win the DP World Tour after winning on home soil at the Andalucia Masters in Spain.
The 29-year-old, who has played three LIV Golf events, took a comfortable six-stroke win over Swede Joakim Lagergren to seal his fourth Tour win at Real Club Valderrama.
After shooting 64 on Saturday, a closing 68 saw the Spanish card finish at 19 under, a new tournament record.
Otaegui has appeared in nine DP World Tour events since appearing at the inaugural LIV Golf event in June in London, finishing third at the Hero Open in July before placing 13th at the BMW PGA Championship and the French Open.
“I’m very, very proud,” Otaegui told reporters.
“I feel so happy to have my first victory in Spain, in front of these crowds, on my favorite golf course in Spain.
“It’s just amazing. I am very, very happy with everything, the week went perfectly.
