News

Brooks Koepka does not appear happy with being left off ESPN’s list of most dominant athletes for 2018

Published

5 years ago

Dec 12, 2018

On Tuesday, ESPN The Magazine released their list of the 20 most dominant athletes of 2018. Amongst that list included household names such as Lebron James, Novak Djokovic and Drew Brees, while the American gymnast, Simone Biles, took the top spot on ESPN’s list.

One man who did not appear amongst the roll of honor of sporting royalty, however, was golf’s Brooks Koepka. The 28-year-old captured two major championships in 2018, but that wasn’t enough for him to feature on ESPN’s list, which included the triple crown winning horse, Justify, in 16th place.

Learning of his exclusion, Koepka took to social media and made this post, which suggested that he was not too pleased with his omission.

???????????? pic.twitter.com/hboyNl753P

— Brooks Koepka (@BKoepka) December 11, 2018

The list evaluated athletes against their fellow competitors, and then analysed their performance against the accomplishments of other great athletes within their sport from 1998 to present.

Explaining Simone Biles score of 3.25, the compiler of the list Peter Keating stated “So what does Simone Biles’ dominance score of 3.25 mean? In 2018, she was 3.25 standard deviations better than the typical top-four performer in all-around women’s gymnastics since 1998—rendering her the year’s most dominant pro athlete.”

The LPGA’s Ariya Jutanurgarn was the only golfer to feature on the list, who Keating judged to have been the fourth most dominant athlete of 2018. The Thai player won three times on Tour in 2018, which is the same number of times as Koepka; however, just one of those wins was a major championship title, compared to Koepka’s two major victories this year. Jutanugarn did, though, have a total of 13 top-five finishes in 2018, compared to Koepka’s five, and also won every year-end LPGA award that was possible for her to win.

In the past, Koepka has spoken concerning the lack of respect that he feels that he is given, in particular by the media. The American has previously suggested that certain players get their names written about more than him because they “kiss up”, and this year the current world number one let the press know that he doesn’t forget an insult, stating “Come Sunday, I won’t forget it when everyone wants to talk to me because I just won. I don’t forget things.”

Judging by Koepka’s reaction on social media to ESPN’s list, this will be yet another incident that the 28-year-old is unlikely to forget. The chip that Koepka carries around on his shoulder has fueled him to win three of the last six major championships that he has appeared in, and this latest snub from the media has given him plenty of incentive to once again prove people wrong in 2019.

GolfWRXers, was Koepka’s omission from the list justified, or another show of disrespect towards golf’s current best player?

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Gianni Magliocco

Gianni is the Managing Editor at GolfWRX. He can be contacted at [email protected].

33 Comments

Victor

Dec 14, 2018 at 1:07 pm

Yes because 1. Not kissing up to the media 2. Never forgetting the media snubbed you and 3. Ignoring the media if you win again, is gonna be a sure fire way to get you more “media” attention.

Suck it up, suck up, and get a equipment deal so someone else can help market your “fake” brand, so you get paid more $$$

Reply Report comment
Ronald E Owens

Dec 14, 2018 at 12:58 pm

Who cares? Get over it! Consider whose list it is and in a list of things that REALLY matter, is this even on it? Didn’t think so.

Reply Report comment
JustWellsy

Dec 14, 2018 at 11:58 am

Who cares about ESPN anyway? What a terrible company… I’m glad they’re failing

Reply Report comment
- nrgnovator
  
  Dec 14, 2018 at 2:10 pm
  
  Can’t agree more!!! ESPN has become (in general) a bunch of irrelevant, biased leftists who are desperately attempting to regain their respect and viewership that was lost due to their inability to keep their politics out of their sports coverage and commentary!
  
  Reply Report comment
IMO

Dec 13, 2018 at 10:49 am

Remember golf is a game not a sport!!!! Who gives a hoot about ESPN, CNN, and MSNBC…

Reply Report comment
Jerry Updike

Dec 13, 2018 at 10:33 am

They put an actual animal in front of him, that’s hilarious.

The list is funny, Cormier isn’t even a top 5 mixed martial artist, let alone a top 3 athlete in the world. Mahomes and Harden must have really good agents.

Reply Report comment
Steve

Dec 12, 2018 at 11:01 pm

This list is meaningless, particularly for the women in it. In all women’s sports there’s a few dominate players at the top, and the rest just fill out the tournament. They’re also typically a lot better looking.

And why would you have Olympians on this list when…it’s not an Olympic year? Just because they beat up on whoever’s looking to scrape a paycheck by?

Bag a few more major next year BK; let the anger burn within you.

Reply Report comment
Tony Lynam

Dec 12, 2018 at 9:02 pm

ESPN? That network is still around?

Reply Report comment
Tommy

Dec 12, 2018 at 8:16 pm

But he doesn’t care…..right. I actually like what I’ve seen of Brooks as a person but you can’t demand respect…doesn’t work that way. Just zip it and keep winning…it’ll come, just like all the money did. Didn’t have to ask for that, did you?

Reply Report comment
Jack

Dec 12, 2018 at 6:03 pm

Interesting piece that highlights the wide-range of sports with these gifted athletes who have dominated in their respective fields (Thank you, @Gianni for the share). Two things of note:

First, ESPN’s list of most dominant athletes is clearly driven off quantitative metrics and makes no mention to how marketable [like-able] these individuals are. So to the many readers who have commented on Koepka’s personality or lack thereof and how this may have driven an omission from ESPN’s aforementioned list… irrelevant.

Second, has the LPGA missed the mark in terms of creating a buzz around such a talented player in Ariya Jutanugarn? Considering the likes of other women who too have had dominant stretches since ’98 (Sorenstam, Ochoa, Tseng, just to name a few) it seems to me that an organization that has notoriously struggled in growing their following should be able to capitalize on a female who is not only one of the most successful golfers on the LPGA, but rather one of the most dominant athletes in the world.

Reply Report comment
the dude

Dec 12, 2018 at 6:01 pm

good to see the olympic figure skater made the top 11……wow..

Reply Report comment
the dude

Dec 12, 2018 at 6:00 pm

He could win the grand slam….and 2 day’s later…”in other news” Not sure what it is…but he is lukewarm…kinda robotic out there. Not a aweful thing, just an awesome golfer that is boring…..

Reply Report comment
Brad

Dec 12, 2018 at 5:48 pm

Brooks Koepka doesn’t get included in the same breath as other “star” athletes in golf or other sports for two simple reasons – (1) he doesn’t kiss up to the media and (2) he isn’t signed to a big name OEM golf manufacturer.

If he were signed to ANY of the big OEM golf companies, their media departments would be out singing his praises from the rooftops and selling this fantastic, feel-good, “Cool Hand Brooks” persona to the media and golfing public.

Most of the players who people think are “cool” or “charismatic” are seen that way simply because their sponsors have manufactured that perception. There are exceptions, or those players who have such big personalities or are so exceptional that they don’t need anything “manufactured” such as Ben Hogan, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman, John Daly, Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods, etc. – but most of the “cool” golfers aren’t really that cool in person. I’ve met quite a lot of them and really, most of them aren’t any more charismatic or cool than the average Joe on the street, and the ones that are often aren’t the ones the public thinks would be cool to hang out with.

Reply Report comment
Travis

Dec 12, 2018 at 1:59 pm

His whole golf persona has been done many times over. He’s not unique in anything. He’s a great golfer but unmemorable in almost every way. The fact that he doesn’t have a club contract is actually working AGAINST him because he’s not even the face of any brand. So in the eyes of the fans he’s getting no face time.

He has no traits about him that make him memorable or marketable.

Reply Report comment
Aldo

Dec 12, 2018 at 1:35 pm

Oh Lord gimme a break. Poor baby earning over $5 million this season isn’t enough for simply playing a game well? Still need your ego stroked. I swear pro athletes along with actors/actresses, music artists all for the most part get paid exorbitant amounts of money for their jobs but still want public recognition. Don’t hear any complaint about no awards or list for best brain and heart surgeons or for emergency first responders or how about teachers. SMH

Reply Report comment
- Gun Violent
  
  Dec 12, 2018 at 9:04 pm
  
  You can’t compare artists to sports athletes.
  Art is opinion based, sports is achievement based.
  It doesn’t matter whether you like a particular song or movie or whatever – it doesn’t mean it’s good, it doesn’t mean everybody has to like it.
  In sports, you have to go achieve it. It doesn’t matter what anybody says, if you win, and get results, that’s what counts. And not all athletes are looking for public recognition, they are out there to get results.
  That’s where you are wrong, and are confused, when you think your taste in music counts for something – it doesn’t. That movie that won an award? It doesn’t make it a good movie. It’s just somebody’s opinion. Same as food. Not everything will taste good for everybody.
  Sports is not the same.
  You have shown your lack of education.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Aldo
    
    Dec 13, 2018 at 3:30 pm
    
    Hey Gun Violet thanks for what appears to be your attempt to educate on the differences between objective and subjective. It fell flat as you missed my whole point and it wasn’t comparing peoples tastes in the arts to athletic accomplishments. Obviously artist and athletes have very different jobs but these artists and athletes already get paid unimaginable amounts of money for a job that us mere mortals look at as entertainment, past time, a hobby. And this great compensation for their work is not enough that they still need to hear praises and feel the pats on their back at awards shows or top 10 lists. Now you stated that not all athletes are looking for recognition but results but I think in this case the title of this article begs to differ. Koepka has the results, the money and has reached the pinnacle golf world #1. That alone should speaks volumes but sounds like his ego is still taking a hit for not being included in some ridiculous list.
    Stay in school kids.
    
    Reply Report comment
toyzrx

Dec 12, 2018 at 1:12 pm

The list is for athletes. Golfers don’t count period.

Reply Report comment
- You suck
  
  Dec 12, 2018 at 1:59 pm
  
  Ummm, Jutanurgarn is on the list, so if this is a shot at a golfer you have failed. Now, go back to the t box and hits your 3rd
  
  Reply Report comment
  - erlybrd
    
    Dec 13, 2018 at 9:22 pm
    
    Golf is something that athletes do in their off season. I’ve heard of Jutanurgan. Yeh a lot of guys who think golf is a sport watch girls golf I suppose, lol.
    
    Reply Report comment
KevinS.

Dec 12, 2018 at 12:41 pm

You gotta be kidding me! ESPN providing such a list is akin to asking Nancy Pelosi who was the best U.S. president ever. It’s not the content of the list; it’s the source of the assessments that created the list.

Reply Report comment
Dave r

Dec 12, 2018 at 12:14 pm

Only one golfer in the top 20 anyway so who cares ! Why would any golfer be upset it’s only the opinion of some sports writer ?

Reply Report comment
Marc Tebo

Dec 12, 2018 at 11:13 am

He’s not marketable, it’s that simple. If this guy had just 1 inkling of personality people might start taking notice. He’s so BORING…

Reply Report comment
- Mv
  
  Dec 12, 2018 at 11:17 am
  
  You’re assesment is spot on. He’s the most uninteresting man in the world.
  
  Reply Report comment
- A. Commoner
  
  Dec 12, 2018 at 1:29 pm
  
  Look at the so-called idols getting praise today. A ‘crass and crude’ mouth and general behavior is so prized and praised. “Swagger” valued by so many is simply obnoxious oafish acting. Reserved and professional behavior befitting of a champion should be welcomed instead of challenged. On the flip side, we have seen those who habitually gave only scripted and rehearsed tidbits to adoring audiences while keeping their distance from the “unwashed masses” who nonetheless loved them. Life is full of contradictions.
  
  Reply Report comment
Gun Violent

Dec 12, 2018 at 11:06 am

This is good. It will help him spur on for the new season and will help him rip everybody a new one.

Reply Report comment
kevin

Dec 12, 2018 at 10:35 am

Koepka finished 2018 5th on the money list, 9th in fed ex standings, and won twice. yes they were majors but this guy was hardly dominant, and definitely not one of the most dominant athletes when looking at all athletes and all sports.

He is quickly becoming incredibly annoying though.

Reply Report comment
Thomas A

Dec 12, 2018 at 9:51 am

But, but…he doesn’t care, right? Or he does? I couldn’t tell you what his voice sounds like, btw. As if he would have something intelligent to say anyway.

Reply Report comment
- Krooks Boepka
  
  Dec 12, 2018 at 10:03 am
  
  He’s too busy counting his millions and banging his model girlfriend to care, Thomas. Enjoy that high horse though, buddy.. suites you well.
  
  Reply Report comment
Michael

Dec 12, 2018 at 9:30 am

Maybe if he had something to say, people might want to talk to him…

Reply Report comment
- A. Commoner
  
  Dec 12, 2018 at 5:00 pm
  
  What’s the problem here? He might be Ben Hogan without the acidity.
  
  Reply Report comment
Dan

Dec 12, 2018 at 9:21 am

I’m surprised they didn’t select Tiger bc it was “the greatest comeback in sports history” (sarcasm).

Reply Report comment
DarthBlader

Dec 12, 2018 at 9:12 am

It’s golf BK. Life goes on…

Reply Report comment

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News

Morning 9: Rory: I’m not joining LIV | Masters ratings | Nelly: We just need a stage

Published

5 days ago

Apr 17, 2024

Ben Alberstadt

By Ben Alberstadt with Gianni Magliocco.

For comments: [email protected]

Good Wednesday morning, golf fans, as we gear up to this week’s RBC Heritage.

1. Rory: I’m not going to LIV

ESPN’s Mark Schlabach…McIlroy said neither he nor his agents have ever discussed a potential deal to lure him to the LIV Golf League, which is being financed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).

“I honestly don’t know how these things get started,” McIlroy told Golf Channel while on the practice range at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head, South Carolina, the site of this week’s RBC Heritage. “I’ve never been offered a number from LIV, and I’ve never contemplated going to LIV. Again, I think I’ve made it clear over the past two years that I don’t think it’s something for me.

“It doesn’t mean that I judge people who have went and played over there. I think one of the things that I have realized over the past two years is that people can make their own decisions for whatever they think is best for themselves, and who are we to judge them for that? But personally, for me, my future is here on the PGA Tour, and it’s never been any different.”

Full piece.

2. Masters ratings down

Yahoo’s Jay Busbee…”Ratings for the full Masters week are now out, and 2024’s version ranks as the lowest since the COVID-impacted years of 2020 and 2021. There was a brief moment when four players shared the lead at the 2024 Masters, but Scottie Scheffler took care of business quickly enough and strolled to what qualifies as an “easy” Masters victory — a four-stroke triumph that wasn’t in doubt for most of the second nine.”

“Perhaps as a result, Sunday’s final round averaged 9.59 million viewers on CBS, according to Sports Media Watch, a 22.8% decline from last year’s 12.06 million. Scheffler’s win two years ago averaged 10.17 million viewers. Worth noting: Sunday’s final round was down 20 percent against last year’s victory by Jon Rahm, but last year’s final round fell on Easter Sunday, which created a significantly higher out-of-home percentage of viewers — 21 percent in 2023, as opposed to 9 percent this year.”

Full piece.

3. Chevron gets purse boost

Golfweek’s Beth Ann Nichols…“Chevron’s commitment to the LPGA went a step higher on Tuesday with the announcement of a purse increase to $7.9 million in 2024. The move brings the tour’s first major in line with the purses of other championships. The U.S. Women’s Open purse of $12 million paces the tour, with the KPMG Women’s PGA second at $10 million. The AIG Women’s British Open purse checks in at $9 million while Amundi Evian is $6.5 million.”

“Chevron, which moved the event away from Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California, to Texas, last year, has increased the purse by $4.8 million since assuming title sponsorship in 2022. The company has committed to title sponsor the event through 2029.”

Full piece.

4. Shipley on “notegate”

Alex Myers for Golf Digest…”So what was up with “notegate”? During his hilarious spot with McAfee, Shipley reiterated there was no note from Woods, and that he was only looking at the moderator because he was so confused where the question was coming from:

“I looked over at the moderator like ‘Who the hell is this guy?'” Shipley says in the clip. “Because it just didn’t happen. I was so confused and so shocked in the moment.”

Full piece.

5. Nelly: We just need a stage

Iain Carter for the BBC…”Korda is the first American to win four consecutive tournaments on the LPGA since Lopez won five straight 46 years ago. This astonishing streak made the then rookie front page material for Sports Illustrated.

“Korda’s feats have yet to transcend the golfing village, and perhaps that suits her as she “tries to stay in my bubble”. But the American Solheim Cup player does recognise that more could be done to tell the increasingly compelling story of women’s golf.”

“I feel like we just need a stage,” she told reporters here at Carlton Woods just north of Houston. “We need to be put on TV.

“I feel like when it’s tape delay, or anything like that, that hurts our game. Women’s sports just needs a stage. If we have a stage we can show up and perform and show people what we’re all about.”

Full piece.

6. Photos from the 2024 RBC Heritage

Check out all of our galleries from this week’s event!

Full piece.

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Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2024 RBC Heritage

Published

6 days ago

Apr 16, 2024

GolfWRX Staff

GolfWRX is on site this week at Harbour Town Golf Links on Hilton Head Island for the RBC Heritage. Plenty of golfers who competed in the Masters last week will be making the quick turnaround in the Lowcountry of South Carolina as the Heritage is again one of the Tour’s Signature Events.

We have general albums for you to check out, as well as plenty of WITBs — including Justin Thomas and Justin Rose.

We’ll continue to update as more photos flow in from SC.

Check out links to all our photos, below.

General Albums

WITB Albums

Pullout Albums

See what GolfWRXers are saying and join the discussion in the forums.

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News

Morning 9: Aberg: I want to be No. 1 | Rory’s management blasts ‘fake news’ reports

Published

6 days ago

Apr 16, 2024

Ben Alberstadt

By Ben Alberstadt with Gianni Magliocco.

For comments: [email protected]

Good Tuesday morning, golf fans, as we look back at the Masters while looking ahead to this week’s RBC Heritage.

1. Shane Ryan: Appreciate Scottie’s greatness

Golf Digest’s Shane Ryan…”This is what’s called generational talent, and we haven’t seen it in almost 20 years. Steve Stricker read the tea leaves when he picked Scheffler for the 2021 Ryder Cup—a decision that was richly rewarded—and starting in 2022, he was off to the races. The only hiccup was a few putting woes last year, but even that only served to highlight how remarkable his ball-striking had become—instead of winning, he was finishing third. When he fixed the putting, with help from a new coach and a bit of equipment advice from Rory McIlroy, he soared yet again to the top of the game, but this time he seemed more indomitable, more inevitable, more brilliant.”

“The sustained success of the last three years has officially made him the best professional golfer since Tiger Woods, a conclusion supported by analytics, the eye test, and every other metric you could dream up. With fewer majors, he has nevertheless leaped past Spieth, McIlroy, and Koepka in terms of pure ability. He doesn’t have their legacy, yet, but if we’re talking about peak performance, he’s already surpassed them.”

“He’s so much better than everyone else, which is a sentiment that is both commonplace—I saw it on Twitter over and over again—and revelatory. It’s the thing you say because there is nothing else to say. You’re left with the wild truth, which words can describe but never capture.”

Full piece.

2. Aberg: I want to be No. 1

The AFP’s Simon Evans…”The 24-year-old finished second, four strokes behind winner Scottie Scheffler, after carding a final round 69 but he certainly won many admirers among the patrons at Augusta National and beyond.”

“And his performance has filled Aberg with self-belief.”

“Everyone in my position, they are going to want to be major champions. They are going to want to be world number one, and it’s the same for me, that’s nothing different,” he said.

“It has been that way ever since I picked up a golf club, and that hasn’t changed. So I think this week solidifies a lot of those things are there, and we just need to keep doing those things and put ourselves in positions to win tournaments, ” he said.

Full piece.

3. Homa’s honest answer on double bogey

Golf Channel staff report…”But Homa’s tee shot at No. 12 bounded off the putting surface and into a bush. After a healthy search, Homa found his ball and had to take an unplayable lie. He made double bogey, effectively ending his bid at a maiden major title.”

“Homa tied for third, seven shots back of Scheffler. Asked about what happened on the fateful 9-iron, Homa offered two replies.”

“The honest answer is, it didn’t feel fair. I hit a really good golf shot, and it didn’t feel fair. I’ve seen far worse just roll back down the hill,” he said.

“The professional answer is, these things happen.”

Full piece.

4. Harbour Town ahead

RBC Heritage field notes, via Adam Stanley of PGATour.com…”Scottie Scheffler is, for now, set to tee it up at the RBC Heritage. He was clear to say that if his wife, Meredith, would go into labor during the Masters, he would head home to be with her, so it’s safe to assume that same rule will stand at Harbour Town. Scheffler has not shot an over-par round all season and has three victories (and one runner-up). He made his debut at Harbour Town last year and finished T11… Matt Fitzpatrick looks to become the first golfer to go back-to-back at the RBC Heritage since Boo Weekley in 2007-08. Fitzpatrick, a playoff victor last year, has two top-10 finishes this season. He has just one missed cut at Harbour Town over the last six years and he finished fourth in 2021 to go along with two more top-15 results in a three-year span (T14 in 2018 and 2020)…”

“Jordan Spieth is hoping to continue his run of fine play at Harbour Town after a playoff loss last season and a playoff win the season prior. Spieth has five top-25 finishes at the RBC Heritage in seven starts… Justin Thomas earned a spot in the field after remaining in the top 30 (he’s No. 30) in the Official World Golf Ranking despite a missed cut at the Masters. Thomas, who finished T25 last season at Harbour Town, has two top 10s on the season… Ludvig Åberg, who is tops in the Aon Next 10, will head to Hilton Head for the first time. Åberg has had a fabulous 2024 campaign thus far with four top 10s (including two runner-up results) and is knocking on the door for a victory… Hideki Matsuyama was the only eligible player who did not commit to the RBC Heritage, while Viktor Hovland – after a missed cut at the Masters – withdrew from the field on Saturday.”

Full piece.

5. Reed’s caddie’s needle

Our Matt Vincenzi…”After a particularly bad drive during his third round on Saturday, Reed’s caddie, Kessler Karain, also his brother-in-law, made a snide but factual comment to Patrick.”

“Your driving has cost us a lot this week,” Karain remarked.

“Reed didn’t disagree and told reporters after the round that there was nothing good about his round…

“A reporter then asked: “It’s a good thing he’s a family member, right?”

“Yeah, exactly. I’d probably be dragging him up that last hole,” Reed said. “I swear.Just what you want to hear as you’re looking at the ball in the tree, and he goes, ‘You need to drive it better.’ Thanks, Kessler. I appreciate it. Great words of wisdom. Drive it better.”

“This may be the last major for Reed for a while, as the 33-year-old has not been invited nor qualified for next month’s PGA Championship.”

Full piece.

6. LIV wants Hovland next?

Ewan Murray for the Guardian…”Rising speculation that Viktor Hovland will be the next high-profile golfer to be coaxed to the LIV tour will increase the need for Ryder Cup Europe to apply a simple qualification process for golfers on the Saudi Arabian-backed circuit.”

“LIV is forging ahead with plans for 2025, which include new events and the recruitment of more players from the PGA and DP World Tours. The rate of turnover is likely to be increased by the number of golfers who had three-year contracts when joining LIV, which will expire at the end of 2024.”

“Chatter on the range at the LIV event in Miami this month and again at the Masters largely surrounded Hovland, the world No 6 who starred for Europe in the defeat of the United States in Rome last year. Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton, who also played in that team, have subsequently joined LIV. Hovland missed the cut at the Masters and promptly withdrew from the PGA Tour’s $20m stop in Hilton Head this week.”

Full piece.

7. Rory’s management: LIV reports are ‘fake news’

Brian Keogh for the Irish Independent…”A report that Rory McIlroy was on the verge of an $850million move to LIV Golf has been slammed as “fake news” by his management.

“Fake news. Zero truth,” McIlroy’s manager Sean O’Flaherty said in an email.

London financial paper “City AM” reported today that sources have told them that McIlroy “could” join LIV Golf

The paper reported that “two separate sources have told City AM that they believe a deal is close. It is claimed that LIV Golf chiefs have offered world No2 McIlroy an eye-watering $850m to join, plus around two per cent equity in the competition.”

Full piece.