Kepka "Defeated DeChambeau at The Match"..."Don't Mess Around Anymore"

Brooks Koepka (left) is shaking hands after defeating Bryson DeChambeau at the Capital One's The Match V. Las Vegas, USA = Getty Images / Multibits

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] "A 4-hole margin victory."

Brooks Koepka defeated his 'archrival' Bryson DeChambeau. This took place on the 12-hole play of the 'Capital One The Match V' held on the 27th (Korean time) at Wynn Golf Club in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. The Match started in November 2018 when Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson (both from the USA) faced off. Since then, NFL and NBA stars have joined to boost its popularity, and this is the fifth series.

DeChambeau notably had experience winning by 3 holes alongside NFL star Aaron Rodgers (USA) against the oldest major champion Phil Mickelson (USA) and NFL Super Bowl MVP Tom Brady. That event took place at Moonlight Basin Golf Club in Big Sky, Montana, USA, where he hit an impressive 480-yard drive, drawing significant spotlight. This time, the focus was on the long-standing rivalry between Koepka and DeChambeau. Both players growled that they would "give their all."

Koepka quickly made 4 birdies over 8 holes, and the match ended rather uneventfully. DeChambeau started provocations by handing out cupcakes to fans at the tee box of the 1st hole (par 5), with the cupcakes’ name sounding similar to Koepka. Even attaching Koepka’s photo to the cupcakes did little. Koepka retaliated with a barrage of birdies. He started well with a birdie on the 2nd hole (par 4), followed by birdies on the 5th hole (par 5) and a 3.3m birdie on the 6th hole (par 3), which directly led to a near-pin victory.

Koepka will donate meals for 500,000 people in need under his name. The match was effectively decided with Koepka’s birdie on the 8th hole (par 4). When DeChambeau missed a birdie putt on the 9th hole (par 3), he conceded to Koepka, who had a 3m putt remaining, and withdrew. Koepka commented, "I definitely wanted to teach him a lesson," adding, "I don’t think I will become friends with DeChambeau." DeChambeau bowed his head, saying, "I haven’t played in two months, so my shot feel was off."