LIV Golf Stars issue a bold honest reality check on Brooks Koepka’s replacement

Brooks Koepka’s exit from LIV Golf sent shockwaves through the golf world. LIV Golf was not the only one impacted; Smash GC and its team were also affected due to this. Since the upcoming season was on the horizon, the Saudi-backed league needed to appoint a new captain for the team, and Talor Gooch got that opportunity.

A veteran team member has expressed his feelings.“Yeah, for sure. Again, 36 holes left times four. What's that, 144 holes? So there’s a lot of golf. That’s two tournaments’ worth of experience. Four scores to count every day. It’s very volatile. Smash is up there. Riyadh and Australia: we didn’t really finish the job. Gooch is a great player. This is a good golf course for him as well,” Graeme McDowell responded to reporters at LIV Golf Hong Kong when asked about Talor Gooch’s captaincy and helping him win his first team title.

Graeme McDowell discusses the new captain of Smash GC

“Like I say, I have a lot of work to do this weekend, but one of the great things about LIV is it’s not just about yourself. Golf is an incredibly individual sport, but when you’re going for that sort of team victory as well, it’s a lot of fun and really that little extra motivation.”

Talor Gooch became the new captain of Smash GC when Brooks Koepka left LIV Golf to rejoin the PGA Tour. Gooch has been part of the Saudi-backed league since 2022.

In 2023, he was the individual champion. However, it’s the first time he is leading a team. And as a team captain, victory is something he has yet to achieve. As McDowell noted in his response, this team factor also plays a significant role in inspiring LIV golfers.

Yet, he is aware that there are two more rounds left, so he can’t celebrate yet.Smash GC has been performing suitably under its new captain. It placed 6th in the team ranking at the 2026 LIV Golf season opener in Riyadh.

With 20-under par, Jason Kokrak led with the most points for the team; following him were Graeme McDowell, Talor Gooch, and Harold Varner III, with scores of 14-under par, 10-under par, and 8-under par.Then at the 2026 LIV Golf Riyadh, the team scored 41-under par to finish at 7. This time, it was Graeme McDowell contributing the most with a 16-under par score. Both Jason Kokrak and Harold Varner III scored 9-under par, while captain Gooch scored 7-under par.However, this time the team has a chance to win at the 2026 LIV Golf Hong Kong. After the first two rounds, with a 35-under-par score, it is now leading the scoreboard midway. Both Graeme McDowell and Harold Varner III have assisted the 10-under for the team. Following Smash GC is Joaquin Niemann’s Torque GC, which has gathered a 30-under-par score.