It was like nothing the game of golf has ever seen.
Chase Koepka scored a hole-in-one on the party hole of the LIV Golf Tournament in Adelaide – and rowdy fans responded by showering the pumped-up 29-year-old American in beer cans and roaring at a decibel level akin to a jumbo jet.
He may not be snowflakes in hell to win, despite being at a very respectable -10, but Koepka will imbibe this shot – literally – for the rest of his career.
The par-three, 12th hole is aptly named the “Watering Hole,” where, as Phil Mickelson put it on Saturday, “the alcohol was flowing” and the “wave was loud.”
Upstairs, Koepka, the slightly lesser-known brother of two-time US Open winner Brooks, stepped with a – and a perfect iron saw his ball trickle into the hole, which was 155 yards away. And boy, you’ve never seen a response like this in golf.
Chase Koepka (far right) bulges on the chest with Smash GC teammates Paul Casey (SR) after hitting an incredible hole-in-one on Sunday
The American jubilantly threw down his club after reaching the par-three twelfth hole
Koepka and the audience responded in ‘amazing scenes’ with chest thrusts, beer showers and roars like a jumbo jet
Koepka was pumped up after his hole-in-one, with plastic beer cups strewn behind him
Or any sport for that matter.
Koepka himself was as excited as any athlete you’ll ever see, slamming his club down in elation as he clashed on the chest with Smash GC teammates Paul Casey and Ian Poulter.
And fans roared as if welcoming a World Cup winner in a ticker-tape parade, showering the stars with beer mugs in a moment quickly labeled “amazing” and the “greatest moment in LIV Golf history.”
Comedian Bert Kreischer waved it wildly when Koepka received his beer shower – the distinctly Australian equivalent of the fancier champagne shower.
There was much controversy when Aussie great Greg Norman launched the rebellious LIV Golf tour.
There were doubts, criticisms of the so-called ‘sportswashing’ of the Saudi regime and many players were alienated from the game.
That really evaporated as fans, pundits and legends of the game around the world expressed their amazement at Chase’s trump card and the incredible fan reaction to the track.
And as one fan even commented, ‘The line at the bars at the Watering hole is about to get epic. No more liquid in the stands!’
90,000 fans flocked to the Grange Golf Club in Adelaide to watch the LIV Golf tournament that transformed the game Down Under
Chase Koepka has had a stroke tournament with his Smash GC teammates and is sitting -10
Fans cheer Koepka on the 12th hole after his stunning hole-in-one
“Imagine watching that scene and thinking #LIVGolf can still be ignored,” another wrote.
“I’ve been watching Golf since the 1970s and have seen some absolutely ridiculous things…but this Chase Koepka hole-in-one at the Watering Hole and the ensuing chaos has produced perhaps the most beautiful golf scenes ever. I witnessed Australia,” said one supporter of the old school.
It’s safe to say Norman is very happy with how the event turned out at The Grange Golf Club.
90,000 punters have packed up for what feels like a non-stop three-day party.
“Everywhere you go, golf is a force for good,” he told reporters.
Aussie cult hero Cameron Smith, loudly applauded everywhere he went, said the tournament had completely transformed golf Down Under in just one tournament.
Cameron Smith salutes the crowd at the Watering Hole after sinking a clutch putt on Saturday
“The audience is so young. Not just kids, guys in their 20s and 30s, it’s hard to say the golf game isn’t growing because of it,” he said.
“You have to wonder how many people will pick up the clubs next week and try it.”
The reigning British Open champion went so far as to say that this was the best tournament he has participated in.
“I would even say that this is the best event I have ever played. I’m probably a little biased because I’m from Australia, but this is what LIV Golf is all about.”
Beer, hole-in-ones, raucous cheers and chest thumps. Yes, that’s what LIV Golf is all about – and the fans absolutely love it.