Bayless claims Brooks Koepka crumbled at Masters as he ‘hasn’t been fire-tested enough at LIV’

Skip Bayless believes Jon Rahm defeated Brooks Koepka to Masters glory on a harrowing day of golf on Sunday for his participation in LIV Golf.

A final round of 69 from Rahm, as four-time Major winner Koepka failed to a three-over round of 75, saw the Spaniard claim his first green jacket. For Koepka, the wait for a first Masters title continues.

And the American may have to wait a little longer, if Bayless is right. He believes the format of LIV’s 54-hole tournament, on a more sparse calendar than the PGA Tour, hindered Koepka when it mattered most.

“Surprised John Rahm watched Brooks Koepka face to face for 31 holes on Sunday and intimidated the intimidator into a meltdown,” Bayless wrote on Twitter.

‘Koepka was not tested enough on fire at LIV, allowed to dominate Augusta in perfect weather for 2nd, then only played 6 holes in 48 hours. Rahmbo too tough.’

Koepka collapsed as playing partner Jon Rahm (right) caught up with a great final lap

Rahm poses next to wife Kelley (right) in his green coat with the trophy in Augusta

Koepka himself did not apologize on a disappointing day. Ironically, if the Masters had been a 54-hole tournament, Koepka, not Rahm, would have had a green jacket.

“Obviously it’s super disappointing, isn’t it? “I didn’t play well enough to win,” he said.

“Hit a few shots where I also didn’t feel like I was getting some good breaks. I didn’t feel like I was doing too much wrong, but that’s how golf goes sometimes. The way Jon played today was pretty impressive.”

Koepka didn’t want to be drawn too heavily if he was sharp enough because he had played to the LIV schedule.

“I mean, we’re still the same people. I know that if I’m healthy I can compete,” he said. “I don’t think any of the guys who played this event think otherwise.

“If Phil plays well, we know he’s in,” he added. “P-Reed, same thing. I think that’s just fabricated by the media that we can’t compete anymore; that we washed ashore.’

Koepka ended the day in a tie for second place with Phil Mickelson, a LIV colleague. Patrick Reed was fourth and Joaquin Niemann was 16th, with four players making the top-20 on the Saudi-backed Rebel tour.

Mickelson started the final round 10 shots behind Koepka, but shot into contention with the low score of the day, a seven-under-par 65.

Phil Mickelson had a brilliant last round – his score of 65 propelled him up the leaderboard

LIV’s Joaquin Niemann was 16th and earned some precious world ranking points

While it proved too little too late for Mickelson, the six-time major said he and the others at LIV Golf weren’t out to prove a point to other players in the field.

“I wouldn’t look at it that way,” Mickelson said. “I’m very thankful we’re here; that we can play in the premier class. And I was thrilled that this tournament was above all else to have the best players in the world here and lose all pettiness; that was amazing.’

Augusta National paved the way for eligible LIV Golf players to compete in the first major of the year last December.

If not exempt, a player’s position in the world rankings is key for them to gain entry into the majors, and LIV Golf players have dropped down the list as they await a verdict on their eligibility as they compete at the by Saudi Arabia-backed circuit.

Niemann was more than happy with his Masters performance as it will earn him some ranking points.

“Hopefully they’ll invent something and then let all the top players play with the top players in the majors,” Niemann said. “I think this week was important just in case. I mean, hopefully get a few points.”