Brooks Koepka Alleges Widespread Cheating on PGA Tour, Cites 'Karma' in Rival's Penalty
The golf star claims some professionals intentionally improve their lie in the rough and describes witnessing such an infraction firsthand.
Brooks Koepka has stated that cheating is prevalent on the PGA Tour, with many players allegedly improving their lies in the rough without being caught. The five-time major winner, who rejoined the PGA Tour this year after a stint with LIV Golf, discussed the subtle methods professionals may use to gain an advantage.
Koepka recounted an instance where he directly observed a competitor improve their lie during a chip shot, describing the action as "really bad." Despite witnessing the infraction, Koepka chose not to report it to tournament officials. He explained his decision by stating that "karma came and bit him on the next hole," as the player in question went on to score a double or triple bogey.
"I've noticed a lot of guys do it, and guys get away with it more because you're not on top of them," Koepka said during an appearance on the Dan on Golf show. He elaborated on the difficulty of policing competitors, noting that he is often focused on his own play and cannot continuously monitor other players. "So I might be over there hitting my shot, but you're over here in the left rough and guys definitely do it, but it's just how are you going to prove it?"
Koepka's comments follow a notable incident involving Bryson DeChambeau at the Open Championship earlier this year. DeChambeau was penalized two shots after television footage flagged a potential breach where he appeared to improve the area behind his ball by flattening fescue with his foot, creating an easier backswing. DeChambeau vehemently protested the penalty, arguing the improvement was inadvertent.
Koepka acknowledged the challenge in definitively proving such infractions. "What am I going to do? I can't prove it, and like at the same time, I understand guys have got to put the club down here, but if you keep putting the club down of course..."
Koepka is scheduled to participate in the upcoming $4 million Skins Game, an event that also features Justin Thomas, Wyndham Clark, and Jackson Koivun.