The opening round the of 2023 Masters Tournament took place on Thursday. One lingering question surrounding this year’s Masters was how well the LIV Golf members would play. Four-time major winner and current LIV golfer Brooks Koepka answered this emphatically with a fantastic round.
But it wasn’t without controversy.
Koepka came into the tournament in great form if you consider LIV tournaments to be a big accomplishment. He won LIV Orlando individually while his team, Smash GC, finished in second place.
This solid play has impressively carried over into the Masters in the first round. Koepka finished his opening round tied for the lead alongside Jon Rahm and Viktor Hovland at seven under par.
Three tied for the lead. Brooks Koepka birdies No. 18 to match the leaders with a 65. #themasters pic.twitter.com/7Z4XWIsRFR
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 6, 2023
However, there was some controversy surrounding his round involving his playing partner Gary Woodland.
Koepka hit his second shot on the Par 5 15th hole onto the green, giving himself a great chance of scoring well on the hole.
Woodland then stepped up to take his second shot but appeared to receive advice from Koepka’s caddie Ricky Elliott. Elliott appears to mouth the word “five” multiple times to Woodland’s caddie Brennan Little, signifying that Koepka used a five iron to reach the green. Woodland would go on to make a birdie on the hole after also reaching the green on his second shot.
A golf fan posted a video of the interaction, and it appears very clear that Elliott did indeed say this to Little.
— Radiant Lyf (@radiant_lyf) April 6, 2023
There are very clear rules that state both players and caddies are not allowed to share information with fellow players. Doing so could result in a penalty for both Koepka and Woodland.
Many around the golf world took notice of this interaction and offered their opinion on social media.
So much of the LIV players being treated poorly by #TheMasters
First round leader Brooks Koepka should have been penalized 2 shots for his caddie giving advice to a competitor. The video evidence couldn’t be more clear, but the players lied, so @TheMasters decided no penalty.🤮 pic.twitter.com/y8UPG2gDs2
— John Ziegler (@Zigmanfreud) April 6, 2023
ohhhhhhh boy
— Golf Unfiltered (@GolfUnfiltered) April 6, 2023
Brooks makes an exaggerated “5” with his hand as well. No one takes a glove off like that.
— Bryan Sharpe (@irisharpe) April 6, 2023
To be fair, he probably thought Gary was on Smash GC.
— Chris Bua (@CBooUF) April 6, 2023
Thought they were playing team golf fellas…no big deal 🤔😏😝 https://t.co/PrmrOmNPJ5
— Danny Grace (@Dgrace75) April 6, 2023
Augusta National’s Committee looked into this situation after the round concluded. They detailed in a statement no penalty would be issued after everyone involved was “adamant that no advice was given”.
Update here: no penalty. pic.twitter.com/sShTSyRAh0
— No Laying Up (@NoLayingUp) April 6, 2023
It is plausible that the video of the interaction was taken out of context. However, it is certainly sketchy behavior from everyone involved.
Regardless, Koepka will look to build on his positive moment on Friday in what looks to be far harsher playing conditions.
[No Laying Up on Twitter, The Masters on Twitter]
