Sign up for our daily newsletter
Latest news, reviews, analysis and opinion, plus unmissable deals for bunkered subscriptions, events, and our commercial partners.
Despite winning the US PGA, coming second in both the Masters and the US Open and then finishing in a tie for fourth at the Open, Brooks Koepka has revealed that he was playing at 100% during the major championships last year
The world No.1, whose appearance in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship this week is his first start since an abortive effort to defend his CJ Cup title in October, says that issues with him bothered him for most of 2019 and ultimately led to him spending a spell on the sidelines.
“I had problems with it since March [and] dealt with it the whole year,” he said. “I don’t think anybody’s ever operating at 100%. I think that’s a rarity in sports. Everybody’s dinged up a little bit. Nobody wants to hear an excuse.
• DeChambeau not worried about ‘slow’ crackdown
• Impact of climate change on golf to be studied
• WATCH – Tiger’s son has an incredible swing
“So, I’m not going to come out and tell you I’ve got the sniffles or tell you my knee hurts. Just get on with it and go play. I mean, I won with it, so I don’t see any issue with it.”
With his problems now behind him, the four-time major champion is itching to get going in 2020.
WATCH – CALLAWAY MAVRIK vs EPIC FLASH
“I miss competition,” he said. “I’ve missed showing up to an event preparing for something, because I haven’t had anything to prepare for. When you have three months off, it’s not fun, I know that. But it makes me appreciate the game more every time and hopefully I don’t have anymore of those situations.
• Michelle’s having a wee Wie!
• Reed threatens legal action against Chamblee
“I’m just excited to hit balls. When I started hitting, it’s the same thing. It’s exciting and it’s enthusiasm to get out there and go play. Last year, there wasn’t much practise. I just couldn’t do it with my knee.
“I think everybody saw it on my team towards the end of the year. I couldn’t get on my left side. I couldn’t do things. Couldn’t squat down in a bunker. I struggled to get down and read a putt. You know, thankfully that’s in the past now.”
ALL ABOUT THE MASTERS
More Reads
The bunkered Golf Course Guide - Scotland
Now, with bunkered, you can discover the golf courses Scotland has to offer. Trust us, you will not be disappointed.
Find Courses