Koepka on his major preparation and ‘big advantage’ of caddie Ricky Elliot this week
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Ever wondered why Brooks Koepka struggles to replicate his form in Majors in regular PGA Tour events? Well, now we have the answer.
Brooks Koepka’s dominance and ability to replicate the best of his game in the biggest events of the year has been well documented, and deservedly so. This year alone, Koepka broke records with his PGA Championship win, and finished second in both the Masters and U.S. Open.
But when it comes to regular tour events, his form has always been at odds, exemplified by his T57 at the Travelers Championship and 65th place finish at the 3M Open. Koepka already talked earlier this year about his opinion that majors are the easiest to win, but the real reason for his form in them is down to the routine and extensive preparation he puts in for each major tournament that he doesn’t replicate in regular Tour events.
“I’m super aggressive at a normal event, and that kind of backfires sometimes,” Koepka said during the Masters. “But at a major, just know there’s 72 holes, so I kind of let things brush off my back a little bit easier. I don’t take anything, I could three‑putt on 8; I mean, I just kind of, whatever.”
This week Koepka is targetting his third leg of the grand slam and fifth major title at the Open Championship at Portrush, and admitted that the reason he performs so well in the main events is a lot more simple than first thought. He simply just doesn’t practice when it comes to regular Tour spots.
During his press conference on Tuesday, the World No.1 revealed that he doesn’t practice outside of the majors, and didn’t even touch a club for 10 days in the build-up to the 3M Open two weeks ago.
“Regular tournaments I don’t practice,” Koepka told reporters at Royal Portrush. “If you’ve seen me on TV, that’s when I play golf.
“That happens week in and week out. And majors I like to play the week before and find a rhythm, build a rhythm. I got over here Friday and have practiced. So, I’m usually ready for the majors.”
The four time major champion was also quizzed about his major record this year, and channeled his inner Tiger when discussing his expectations at the start of the season.
“The whole reason I show up is to win,” he said. That’s what I’m trying to do. Yeah, it’s incredible [winning once and finishing second twice], but at the same time it’s been quite disappointing. Finishing second sucks; it really does. But you’ve just got to get over it.”
Koepka is the second favourite, behind Rory McIlroy, to win this week and did little to dampen expectations that having Ricky Elliott, a Portrush native, on his bag will boost his chances of victory on Sunday.
“That’s a big advantage,” admitted the 29-year-old. “Every hole I step up on, he knows the spots to miss it and the spots to come in from, with different hole locations and different winds. I’ll definitely have a little bit more confidence having him on the bag this week, knowing this golf course so well.
“I don’t think he [Ricky] ever thought there would be an Open Championship here. And to top it off, I don’t think he ever thought he’d be a part of it. And to be caddieing and to be able to win one here would be — he’d be a legend, wouldn’t he? He already is, but it would be cool to see him win.”
