If LIV Golf gets its first winner at the Masters next week, then you’d think Jon Rahm or Brooks Koepka would be the most likely to don the green jacket.
After all, it was just 12 months ago that they went head-to-head in a fascinating duel on a gut-wrenching final day at Augusta.
Koepka had a two-stroke lead that Sunday afternoon, but couldn’t match Rahm’s brilliance as the Spaniard headed to golf’s promised land.
A week before golf’s elite once again descend on Augusta for the first major of the season, Koepka and Rahm reunited Saturday at LIV’s final event in Miami.
There certainly won’t be any house music playing at the Masters like LIV, nor will there be stuntmen parachuting onto the field or a quick exit. There’s also a strong chance Koepka won’t be around for the weekend.
Brooks Koepka struggled during the second round of the LIV Golf event in Miami on Saturday afternoon.
The tournament at Trump National Doral takes place just one week before the Masters
12 months ago Koepka dueled Jon Rahm for the coveted green jacket at Augusta National
A frustrating round of 5-over-par 77 has left him a gigantic eleven strokes behind leader Sergio Garcia here on the Blue Monster course at Trump Doral.
This comes after Koepka finished seven shots behind the winner in Hong Kong and eight shots behind in Jeddah last month.
However, he is a man for the big occasions and can never be ruled out. After that collapse at Augusta last year, he won a third PGA Championship title just a month later.
In the last decade, Koepka has played in 35 majors. He has won five, finished seven in the top five and was in the top 10 13 times. He loves the big stage.
Speaking before play began in Miami this week, Koepka insisted his preparation for the Masters is now complete and he’s “not as focused on the results.” That’s a relief.
‘I’ve done my homework, man. I’m just trying to figure it out and make whatever last-second adjustments I can,” he said.
‘Usually March 1 is my go-to for Augusta, and then I get things going. This whole week is just to see what I’ve done in the last two, three weeks, whatever, how many weeks we’ve had off and see where everything is.
‘Make sure you’re not so focused on the results, just on the process of doing what you wanted to do and making sure certain things are right and just checking them off. That’s all. It’s not a question of results.’
The American was again with the reigning champion on Saturday
Unlike Koepka, Rahm was solid, if not spectacular, tackling the Blue Monster’s course.
There may be some last minute adjustments, especially on the greens. Koepka switched to a mallet-style putter this week, but he never seemed too comfortable with the ball and missed some makeable putts early on.
The first hole also set the pace for a frustrating second round. Coming out in the third, Koepka and Rahm surprisingly found the water coming out of a fairway bunker.
Koepka had to swallow a double bogey before a wayward tee shot on the second left him struggling for par. He missed his putt and was instantly left with three overs.
Four birdies showed that Koepka is never far from turning things around. But his momentum was halted by a double bogey seven on the eighth and more dropped shots on the 10th, 13th and 14th.
Next to him, Rahm was solid, if not spectacular, and the more relaxed atmosphere at LIV events clearly carries over to the field.
Rahm and Koepka were deep in conversation at times, the Spaniard handing out balls to young fans as he headed to the tees and his caddy Adam Hayes joking with fans as his player weighed a recovery shot after a wayward drive.
Rahm has yet to win a LIV event since making his $500 million move from the PGA Tour last year and will need a big boost in his favor to emerge victorious on Sunday.
Rahm’s Spanish teammate Sergio GarcÃa leads the standings heading into the final round
A delicious chip just off the green on the 16th sent fans into a frenzy and another birdie on the first left the reigning Masters champion four shots behind Garcia.
His fellow Spaniard maintained his excellent form from the first round and was at the top of the standings until Sunday.
Garcia, the 2017 Masters champion, has only allowed two shots so far here in Miami and six birdies helped him achieve a four-under round that has him in control heading into the final day.
Despite Garcia’s continued brilliance, it was two other members of LIV’s Masters contingent who stood out Saturday.
A superb six-under round from Adrian Meronk put him in contention, while Tyrrell Hatton showed he could be a contender at Augusta after a five-under round that included three birdies in his final five holes.
With nine players within three shots of Garcia, it promises to be an exciting end to the fifth competition of the LIV Golf season.
However, one thing is certain. Koepka is far from a contender and will be back at the Masters unless he can find some form in the next five days.