Brooks Koepka is the highest-ranked LIV participant within the Ryder Cup {qualifications} and will nonetheless function for Team USA this September; Koepka chases PGA Championship victory after squandering a final-round lead at The Masters final month
By Ali Stafford at Oak Hill
Last Updated: 17/05/23 8:38pm
Brooks Koepka will not be targeted on a potential Ryder Cup place however want to play for captain Zach Johnson if chosen
Brooks Koepka will not be targeted on a potential Ryder Cup place however want to play for captain Zach Johnson if chosen
Brooks Koepka admits he want to drive his means into Zach Johnson’s Ryder Cup plans as he appears to be like to bounce again from “choking” in The Masters on the PGA Championship.
Koepka took a four-shot lead into the ultimate day at Augusta National and remained two forward of Jon Rahm going into the ultimate spherical, the place he struggled to a three-over 75 to overlook out on a primary main victory since 2019.
The former world No 1 informed the Pardon My Take podcast: “Yeah, I’d characterise that as a choke. It was fairly unhealthy. I imply, c’mon. You’ve received a four-shot lead. I used to be taking part in good and simply choked it away. But it is alright, we’ll determine it out.”
Highlights from Koepka’s ultimate spherical at The Masters, the place he squandered his lead and completed 4 strokes behind Jon Rahm
Highlights from Koepka’s ultimate spherical at The Masters, the place he squandered his lead and completed 4 strokes behind Jon Rahm
Asked about these feedback forward of the PGA Championship, Koepka claimed he was “simply messing round” earlier than including: “It is choking, proper? If you will have a lead and cough it up, that is choking. But on the similar time, I’m not dwelling on it.”
Koepka then added: “I did not sleep Sunday night time, simply attempting to determine what precisely it was. Thought about it for just a few days after and actually homed in on what I used to be doing and what went mistaken. From there simply by no means let it occur once more. That’s the entire purpose, proper?
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“I’ve been in that place a few instances and have not capitalised. I can not do it each single time. I’m not good. As lengthy as I can be taught from it, I’ll be higher off from it.”
Could Koepka function for Team USA?
Ryder Cup captain Johnson mentioned the potential of LIV gamers that includes within the Ryder Cup is at the moment “not even a dialogue merchandise”, with American gamers nonetheless eligible for this yr’s version of the biennial contest regardless of being banned or having resigned from the PGA Tour.
US Ryder Cup captain Zach Johnson has refused to be drawn on whether or not he shall be selecting gamers from LIV Golf for this yr’s occasion
US Ryder Cup captain Zach Johnson has refused to be drawn on whether or not he shall be selecting gamers from LIV Golf for this yr’s occasion
Six wildcards will full Johnson’s workforce in Rome this September, including to the six computerized qualifiers, with Koepka at the moment twenty second within the qualification standings heading into this week’s main at Oak Hill.
“It can be superior to symbolize the United States,” Koepka added. “Anytime we do it it is at all times enjoyable, however I’m not targeted on it. It’s not my first thought after I go play effectively this week. If I deal with my enterprise out right here, every little thing will care for itself.
Koepka is one among 16 gamers from LIV in motion on the PGA Championship
“If you win, go second, first, first, first, it might be form of powerful to not decide, proper? If you go deal with enterprise, I really feel like I needs to be effective. But it is less than me. It’s as much as Zach and what goes on.
“I simply play my finest and see what occurs from there, however I might like to play for him. It’s powerful to be in Zach’s thoughts or the place he’s at, however I might like to make it arduous on him.
Koepka (proper) and Dustin Johnson (left) hope to function for Team USA within the Ryder Cup, regardless of their transfer to LIV
“I believe that might be cool. The solely factor I can do is go play good. If I play good, every little thing takes care of itself. Like I mentioned, it is less than me. I’m not the one making the selections. I can solely go play golf.”
Johnson: ‘I needn’t preserve proving myself’
Dustin Johnson is among the many different LIV contingent hoping to function for Team USA, two years on from profitable all 5 of his matches of their record-breaking win at Whistling Straits, though he’s uncertain whether or not he’ll get to make one other Ryder Cup look.
Speaking forward of the PGA Championship, Dustin Johnson admitted he would nonetheless like to play on this yr’s Ryder Cup, regardless of being a part of LIV Golf
Speaking forward of the PGA Championship, Dustin Johnson admitted he would nonetheless like to play on this yr’s Ryder Cup, regardless of being a part of LIV Golf
“I do not know if I’d get picked,” Johnson mentioned. “Obviously if I proceed to play rather well for the remainder of the yr, then clearly there’s an opportunity. I might undoubtedly wish to play within the Ryder Cup. It’s one among my favorite occasions to play in, particularly after the final Ryder Cup.
“I’ve recognized Zach for a very long time, so I’m certain he is maintaining a tally of issues. You simply by no means know. Obviously play effectively within the majors, the subsequent three majors, and simply play some good, strong, constant golf from right here on out the remainder of the yr, who is aware of what’s going to occur.
“I believe I’ve confirmed myself out right here for a protracted sufficient time the place I needn’t preserve proving myself. I have already got for a few years. Same with all the opposite guys. It’s simply the place we play at. It would not change the type of golfer we’re.”
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