“He’s going undefeated next weekend”: Golf fans react to Brooks Koepka’s latest trim ahead of Ryder Cup 2023 in Rome

Like most athletes, Brooks Koepka prepares for competition in a variety of ways. And not just in a strictly athletic sense. This Friday, it was the turn of his looks.

Brooks Koepka is sporting a new haircut, much shorter than his previous one. This Friday, he unveiled it on social media under the name "The Freedom Flow".

The reactions from fans didn't take long. Let's take a look at some of the posts on X (formerly Twitter) about Brooks Koepka's new haircut:

"He’s going undefeated next weekend"

Brooks Koepka and Ryder Cup preparation

Brooks Koepka is taking care of his preparation on the sporting front as well. This weekend he plays in the LIV Golf Chicago before heading to Italy to join the American team for the Ryder Cup.

On the Rich Harvest Farms course, Koepka was paired with season leader Cameron Smith and golf royalty Phil Mickelson in the number one group.

Koepka made just one birdie on the 8th hole, but did not make a bogey. His score of -1 puts him on T18, four shots behind leaders Sergio Garcia and Matthew Wolff.

There are other compelling reasons for Brooks Koepka not to skip the tournament in Chicago. One of them is the situation of his brother Chase, who is about to lose his spot on the LIV Golf circuit.

Brooks and Chase Koepka have been practicing together all week, trying to iron out details in Chase's game that have been holding him back. Chase is currently tied for 48th on the individual leaderboard.

If he doesn't finish 44th or better by the end of the season, Chase Koepka will lose his spot on the tour for next season, and there's nothing Brooks can do about it. That leaves just two tournaments for Chase, including Chicago.

“He's working hard, I'll give him that," Brooks said to LIV Golf news service, "That's why I haven't gotten on him. I'm proud of him. He's gutted through this thing, and eventually it's going to turn right side up, and that's what I just keep telling him. I've been in those shoes two years ago. It will come around.”

According to LIV Golf rules, players (not captains) who finish 45th or lower in the individual standings will be demoted. They can only return by regaining their place on the developmental circuit at the end of the year.

Koepka's situation is very different from his brother Chase's. The winner of five Majors is fourth in the singles standings with 112 points. He has won once this season (Orlando) and finished in the top 10 in four other events.

But his stellar season has not been limited to LIV Golf. Koepka won the PGA Championship, tied for second at The Masters, tied for 17th at the U.S. Open and tied for 64th at The Open Championship.