Golf fans want LIV star banned after wild act before withdrawing from tournament

Golf fans were left shocked by what a player did before withdrawing from the first round of the LIV Golf event in Dallas.

Five-time major champion Brooks Koepka could seemingly not control his temper at the Maridoe Golf Club in Dallas, Texas, after he hit a poor tee ninth hole.

Koepka, 35, then smashed his club into the ground before striking a tee box marker near fans in attendance, although the object did not appear to hit those standing nearby.

The American came out six over par after eight holes, but LIV put his poor performance down to illness, explaining how he’d been “feeling under the weather all week".

Mexican golfer Luis Carrera replaced Koepka for the remainder of the round.

Koepka recently missed the cut at the Masters and PGA Championship and hasn’t secured a top ten finish in a major since 2021.

Speaking about his poor form earlier this month, Koepka said: "From the first weekend in April until about (the beginning of June), you didn't want to be around me.

“It drove me nuts. It ate at me. I haven’t been happy. It’s been very irritating."

And fans were quick to give their thoughts on social media following his outburst in Dallas.

One said: "This is worse than anything Wyndham did. He could have injured a patron by doing that."

Another added: "Pathetic behaviour! Suspend him now!“

A third commented: “This should eliminate the people that want him on the Ryder Cup team.”

A fourth claimed: "These “professionals” continue to embarrass themselves, their caddies, coaches and families because they can’t quite seem to control their emotions as a grown adult."

While a fifth exclaimed: "He should be instantly dq and heavily fined for this behaviour."

It is unclear if Koepka will be punished for his actions.

Koepka also revealed the big issue he had at the Masters back in April.

“PGA I didn’t feel good,” he said earlier this month.

"Augusta I felt good going in. I don’t really know what happened. Well, I do: The putter. I felt like I was right there, I missed, I think I three-putted on 12 from about 12 feet and missed a 2½-, 3-footer there and kind of derailed the whole round.

“I had a putt on 16 to go 1-under at almost the halfway mark, and just a weird little incident on 18. It happens. It’s golf. Just got to deal with it and move on and try to play the best I can for these next two.”