Do you ever get the feeling you have been here before? Going through the same motions with an overwhelming sense of deja vu? Welcome to LIV Golf Jeddah.

For the second year in a row  it seemed like an action replay of 2022 at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club on Sunday — especially the dramatic finale.

Brooks Koepka defended his title. He did it an extended playoff — this time over Individual Championship winner Talor Gooch — on the second extra hole (last year it took four to prevail over then Smash teammate Peter Uihlein) on the Red Sea coast.

The pair finished locked on 14-under, with a crucial birdie putt on the 18th from Koepka as Gooch waited in the wings ensuring extra-time.

Harold Varner III, another winner on the Royal Greens course in the 2022 Saudi International, finished third on 12-under.

There were differences too, as this was Koepka’s first win as a father, and he snuck into the Individual Championship top-three at old rival Bryson DeChambeau’s expense — $4 million to be exact.

Five-time major winner Koepka was smiling and happy to talk — finally, following a less-than-loquacious week — in King Abdullah Economic City after his overtime win against Gooch.

Koepka held an overnight three-stroke lead, but was pegged back as Gooch and handful of others were landing birdies and he was left frustrated with a string of near-misses before a late rally, including a clutch putt on 18, got him to two-under for the day — good enough to match Gooch, who shot the day’s lowest score with an eight-under 62.

“It’s been a great week,” he said, trophy at his feet. “It’s been fantastic. Anytime you can win, it’s always a good feeling. Super proud of the way I played today. Felt like I was hitting good putts. They weren’t falling, and then it was just a matter of being patient and hanging in there.

“To make that eight-footer on 18 in regulation and then to birdie it twice in the playoff is pretty neat. Very pleased with the way I finished.”

Koepka was ensured the win when Gooch saw his second shot over the pond on their second extra trip down 18 trickle off the green into the water, allowing the defending champ two putts for victory.

“I knew it was just going to be a matter of time [in the playoff]. I had to birdie it every time I felt like. Talor has been playing so well the whole year, all week. He played a hell of a round today. I just felt like birdie was — you had to make birdie, maybe even a three just to beat him.

“I got super lucky, and I kind of had the same putt I did in regulation, which also helped knowing the speed and how fast it was. Super pumped for that.”

With the win in the bag over the same track as last year, Koepka is raring to go — and set a good example for his baby son, Crew.

“I definitely feel like I’m back to my old self,” he said. “This one is probably a little different just because it’s the first win as a dad. I’m sure [wife] Jena and Crew are watching. He won’t remember that one, but at least I’ve got something to say, that I did win while he was here.”

Koepka also had the bonus of claiming that third spot on the Individual Championship podium — something he didn’t discover until he was informed after his win.

“I mean, I really didn’t think I had a chance,” he explained. “I don’t know how many points Bryson had to have or to get, but I felt like I had to win, and I did my part. That’s all I can do. Then from there, it’s just up to the guys. But yeah, super fortunate to kind of squeak in there. It’s a good day.”

And what was Koepka thinking as they had to hop on the buggies and play 18 yet one more time?

“Not again,” he laughed. “I don’t think anybody has played the 18th hole more than I have.”

It’s like we had all been here before.

Main image: Brooks Koepka celebrates his LIV Golf Jeddah win with Smash teammate Jason Kokrak. LIV Golf