Brooks Koepka thriving in “chaos” as he chases big major target

“I enjoy the chaos.”

It is US Open week and Brooks Koepka is far from perturbed by the maelstrom that continues to engulf men’s professional golf.

“I haven’t paid too much attention to it, honestly,” he said in a bullish press conference on Tuesday. “There’s four weeks a year I really care about and this is one of them, and I want to play well.”

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Rather than giving his own two cents on a shock deal with LIV Golf’s Saudi Arabian backers, PIF, that could pave his return to the PGA Tour, Koepka is instead thriving in the mayhem that surrounds one of the biggest tournaments on the calendar.

“The more chaotic things get, the easier it gets for me,” Koepka said. “Everything starts to slow down and I am able to focus on whatever I need to focus on while everybody else is dealing with distractions, worried about other things.”

Koepka has arrived at Los Angeles Country Club as the game’s resurgent figure, backing up his T2 finish at the Masters with an utterly dominant performance to claim his fifth major at the PGA Championship in upstate New York.

The ominous belief that fuelled his major blitz and made him golf’s most feared player five years ago is well and truly back.

“Like I said, double digits, that’s what I’m trying to get to,” Koepka said, reiterating his major target. “I don’t think it’s out of the question for me. I think the way I’ve prepared, the way I’ve kind of suited my game for these things is going to help me.

“And like I said, I’m only 33, so I’ve definitely got quite a bit of time. I’ve just got to stay healthy and keep doing what I’m doing.”

Koepka comes alive in the Big Four and few will doubt his assertion that he can reach the double-figure mark in majors if he remains fit.

Should he win on Sunday, he would join Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus with three US Open and PGA Championship wins.

He has already made an indelible mark in the history books but a sixth major crown would put him in serious company alongside Sir Nick Faldo, Lee Trevino and Phil Mickelson.

“I think one thing that was always kind of harped on me was you knew how many majors Jack has, you knew how many Tiger has, you knew how many Arnold Palmer has, you knew how many Gary Player, Watson, all these legends, but I never knew how many PGA Tour events or wins they had total,” Koepka said, explaining his obsession with major glory.

And the exclusive North Course that is situated just a short drive from LA’s sunset strip looks a test entirely suited to the American.

The 7,421-yard par 70, which has never hosted a major before, is set to prove another typically tough USGA layout – with two of the longest par-3 holes on the US Open rota.

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Safe, low-risk golf is set to be rewarded with the penalties obvious for those who stray wide of the narrow fairways and greens, but several birdie opportunities are available.

“I just feel like I can outlast everybody when it comes to having to par things to death or just kind of wearing guys out on the golf course and just mentally beating you and knowing when it’s my time to kind of take that opportunity and go with it,” Koepka declared.

“I think being patient is a big thing with that, as well, and just knowing when to go after a flag or when to play cautious.”

Koepka was in complete control of all aspects of his game at the PGA Championship and comes into the third major of the year fresh, but some would argue slightly undercooked.

He has not played since his late arrival for LIV’s Washington DC event following a week of partying with the Wanamaker trophy last month and was asked about the suggestions that his lack of tournament fatigue could impact his chances.

For Koepka, though, none of the outside noise matters. “It’s just golf man,” he shrugged.

Ben Parsons joined bunkered as a Content Producer in 2023 and is the man to come to for all of the latest news, across both the professional and amateur games. Formerly of The Mirror and Press Association, he is a member at Halifax Golf Club and is a long-suffering fan of both Manchester United and the Wales rugby team.