Drive on 18th powers Brooks Koepka’s return to Phoenix Open

Brooks Koepka is back at the scene of his first win on the PGA Tour, WM Phoenix Open, and the memories are rich and varied. Excerpts from an interview:

We’d like to welcome two-time WM Phoenix Open champion, Brooks Koepka, our defending champion. Brooks, a special place here for you, first PGA Tour win came in 2015. What’s it like to be back this year?

Brooks Koepka: Yeah, I always like coming back to this place, good memories. You know, I feel like I have been playing pretty good recently. Just a few kinks we worked out. I’m excited. I feel like I’m striking it well, putting it well, doing everything I need to do. You’ve got the good memories here, and I guess the feels I get on this golf course I feel comfortable on it. So hoping for a good week.

One of the strongest fields of the season gathers @TPCScottsdale this week.
@GolfBet breaks down the top picks for @WMPhoenixOpen.

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 9, 2022

As you’re walking the course, is there a particular memory that comes to mind, a particular shot you think of?

Koepka: Maybe the drive I hit on 18 in ’15 when I won, just being the first time really in contention out here. Stepping up, hitting a good drive. I thought that was big, just for confidence going forward, things like that. I love this golf course, man. It suits me down to the ground. I think you see a lot of guys that hit it long and fade it, play well here. Martin Laird has always had a good track record here. Yeah, I mean, it’s a bomber’s paradise. If you can put the ball in play, you can make some good scores.

On a lighter note off the court, is the hair a permanent fashion statement? A one-time thing? What made you do it?

Koepka: I just felt like doing it. I talked to my boy Philly, who is my barber, and he wanted to do it for like a year. I just decided. We’re like, All right. We got bored, so might as well do it. Yeah, it is permanent, so, I mean, I can’t really just wash it out (smiling). It will be here for a little bit until the rest of it grows in. I’m lucky enough I have enough hair it will grow back (smiling).

 

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You have been working really hard at the game. Is there one thing you have been working on consistently or new things every week?

Koepka: No, I think it’s just been getting more comfortable. I feel like my iron play has been right there. I haven’t driven the ball very well, but I got that sorted. That was easy. Just a few things. It’s tough to play from the rough, playing Torrey, just wasn’t doing some things. Got that figured out. I feel very confident, like where I’m ahead of probably where I have been every year previous, where I feel like my game is at. So hopefully good things.

In the past you talked about your mindset being different for Majors. With this being a different atmosphere and your success here, is it fair to say you have a different mindset when you come to Phoenix?

Koepka: I mean, I don’t feel like my mindset is any different here, but I think the amount of people, it’s probably equivalent to a Major. I have done pretty well in New York where the fans will get on you if you’re not doing it right. Been on the bad side of that; I have been on the good side of that. You know, when I basically tried to give away the back 9 at Bethpage, I’m watching DJ so they were on me there. It’s like out here, you hit a bad shot, they’re going to get on you.

When you talk to the other players, how much talk is there about the rivalry, Saudis, all this other stuff, or is it something you not discuss with fellow pros?

Koepka: It’s been pretty clear for a long time now that I’m with the PGA TOUR, it’s where I’m staying. I’m very happy. I think they do things the right way. People I want to do business with. I’m happy to be here. And I don’t really talk about it with many other players. They have asked a couple of questions, but I trust them.

PGA Tour