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AUGUSTA, Ga. — As a child rising up in South Florida, Brooks Koepka all the time dreamed of profitable main championships when he was practising at his dad’s course.
That want to be the very best has fueled Koepka for 33 years and guided him to an unimaginable tally of 5 main championships in a six-year span (two of which had been riddled with accidents). Whereas he’s by no means gained at Augusta Nationwide Golf Membership, Koepka has completed runner-up twice and within the high 10 3 times in eight earlier Masters appearances.
His most up-to-date shut name for a inexperienced jacket occurred ultimately 12 months’s Masters, when Koepka held a minimum of a share of the lead after every of the primary three rounds earlier than he was caught by Jon Rahm on the ultimate 18. Koepka ended up tied for second with Phil Mickelson.
After his PGA Championship win final summer season, Koepka mentioned he realized a lesson as to why he misplaced his lead Sunday at Augusta. Whereas he nonetheless gained’t share precisely what he realized, he’s vowed he gained’t let it occur once more.
“I believe if I get the prospect this 12 months, I gained’t be pondering that method,” Koepka mentioned throughout his pre-tournament press convention Tuesday.
Koepka has 9 wins on the PGA Tour and three since he joined LIV Golf, however he doesn’t shrink back from the truth that the foremost championships are what’s most necessary to him. He’s properly conscious of his stature and present place within the professional golf historical past books. Main championships make for an enduring legacy.
“Even at this time, that’s what I first see, that’s what I believe you’re judged by, your legacy, what you’re outlined by. I’ve all the time mentioned it, I believe you may inform precisely how (many majors) Jack, Tiger, Arnold, Tom, you may inform, all these guys, what number of majors they gained,” defined Koepka. “It’s powerful to inform what number of occasions they gained, however I do know that there’s one sure-fire method to determine who’s who’s by main championships.”
How conscious is he? Just like the NFL gamers who can identify which quarterbacks drafted forward of them, Koepka is aware of he’s tied with James Braid, John Henry Taylor, Byron Nelson, Peter Thomson and Seve Ballesteros on the all-time main winners checklist and that there are nonetheless 14 different names in entrance of him.
Relating to gamers with 25-49 rounds beneath their belt at Augusta, Koepka is third in scoring common at 71.56 behind Rahm (70.50) and Jordan Spieth (70.66). He doesn’t know what it’s about Augusta that brings out his finest sport, however he certain does want he might do it extra usually.
“I simply suppose there’s simply one thing particular about this place. You form of drive down Magnolia Lane and it will get the juices flowing,” mentioned Koepka. “And I believe all people that drives down it will get fairly excited. And, you recognize, first main of the 12 months. And that’s what you play the sport for, is to win right here, win a serious, and that’s the objective.”
In basic Koepka trend, he additionally sarcastically challenged a reporter for asking if 59 was attainable at Augusta Nationwide:
Q: It sounds just like the course is already fairly dialed this week, however beneath softer or optimum scoring circumstances do you suppose 59 is obtainable on this golf course?
BROOKS KOEPKA: Have you ever performed right here?
Q: Not but.
BROOKS KOEPKA: I can inform by the query.
Q: What quantity is attainable in your thoughts? 63’s the low.
BROOKS KOEPKA: I imply, now, something’s attainable. However, yeah, if you wish to go play the members tees and perhaps play like 15 holes, yeah, I might try this.
If you happen to didn’t suppose Koepka was already again to his outdated self after the PGA Championship, that alternate absolutely alerts he’s.
Now wholesome following a few years of damage struggles, Koepka is aware of he’s prepared for the problem that awaits this week. Following his Monday follow spherical, he famous the course “was as agency as I’ve seen it in perhaps 4, 5 years” and that inexperienced speeds had been already close to a weekend tempo.
For a participant who continuously rises to the event, that’s music to a assured Koepka’s ears and dangerous information for the opposite 88 gamers within the subject.
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