Brooks Koepka laments “brutally slow” Masters final round

 For a long time on Masters Sunday, it looked like Brooks Koepka was set to collect his fifth major championship.  

The former world No. 1 entered the marathon final day with a slender advantage over his playing partner Jon Rahm, but saw it gradually slip away over the final 28 holes. Eventually, Koepka finished in a tie for second on eight-under-par, four shots behind the Spaniard. 

Many were quick to point out that, particularly in the final round, Koepka looked out of sorts, with the slow pace of play not helping. Players at Augusta National were in groups of two, with a two-tee start in place to ensure the tournament finished on Sunday. However, the final round took around five hours to complete.

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When asked about the pace of play in the final round, Koepka, known for being pretty quick on the course, certainly didn’t mince his words.  

“Yeah, the group in front of us was brutally slow,” the 32-year-old said.  

“Jon went to the bathroom like seven times during the round, and we were still waiting.

“Obviously it’s super disappointing, right. I didn’t play good enough to win. Hit some shots where I also feel like I didn’t get some good breaks, the ball on 9, on 4 and 6, hit some good shots and just ended up in some terrible spots where it was quite difficult. 

“Then 12, it was just kind of interesting, Jon hit 9 and I hit wedge over the green. Then 14, I felt like I just had to make a run for it. Didn’t feel like I did too much wrong, but that’s how golf goes sometimes.” 

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The penultimate group, playing in front of Koepka and Rahm, consisted of Viktor Hovland and Patrick Cantlay, with the latter taking a lot of criticism for his pace of play. 

While Cantlay three-putted for bogey on the par-3 16th, Koepka and Rahm were pictured waiting on the tee box, with many on social media pointing out the same thing. 

I'll say this for Patrick Cantlay, though. It takes mega stones to hold up these two. pic.twitter.com/cxbb5Bhr7Z

— Michael McEwan (@MMcEwanGolf) April 9, 2023

Others also pointed out that Viktor Hovland seemed frustrated by his playing partner, as he played a chip to the 13th green while Cantlay was still walking up the fairway.

Incredible @TronCarterNLU – Victor taking a stand. Not even bothering to wait for The Toolman to arrive at the green. pic.twitter.com/KueEqWggHN

— Peter Norris (@Nozza25) April 9, 2023

The four-time major champ has been vocal on slow play issues in the past, criticising JB Holmes in 2019, saying that the fact he’s not ready to play when it’s his turn is “frustrating,” but that “he’s not the only one that does it out here.” 

Koepka’s tie for second lifted him to 39th in the World Ranking and was his best finish in a major since his tie for second at the 2021 PGA Championship.

Lewis Fraser As bunkered’s Performance Editor, Lewis oversees the content that’s designed to make you a better player. From the latest gear to tuition, nutrition, strategy and more, he’s the man. A graduate of the University of Stirling, Lewis joined bunkered in 2021. Formerly a caddie at Castle Stuart Golf Links, he is a member of Bathgate Golf Club where he plays off four.

Performance Editor