FARMINGDALE, N.Y. (Reuters) – Brooks Koepka has gone from being an afterthought to the most dominant player in golf over the last two years, the quiet assassin who speaks softly but carries a big stick.
May 19, 2019; Bethpage, NY, USA; Brooks Koepka plays his shot from the 18th tee during the final round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Bethpage State Park – Black Course. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports
In a sport where players often blather niceties about how tough their competition is, Koepka is refreshing in that he does not mind acknowledging that his physical and psychological attributes are a cut above most of his peers.
The 29-year-old American told a press conference on Tuesday ahead of the PGA Championship at Bethpage Black that he could not think of any reason why would not win at least 10 majors by the end of his career.
“I think sometimes the majors are the easiest ones to win,” said Koepka.
“Half the people shoot themselves out of it, and mentally I know I can beat most of them, and then from there it’s those guys left, who’s going to play good and who can win.
“I don’t see any reason I can’t get to double digits.”
Koepka is nearly halfway there after his two-shot victory over fellow American Dustin Johnson on Sunday, when he recovered from four consecutive bogeys to limp across the line thankful he had started the day with a seven-shot buffer.
It was Johnson’s fourth major victory in his last eight starts — two U.S. Opens and two PGA Championships — and nobody had previously gone from zero to four in such a short time.
He now has the same number of major titles as the perennially-hyped Rory McIlroy, who, for all his preternatural talent, has been stuck on four since 2014.
Among still active players, only Tiger Woods (15) and Phil Mickelson (five) have clocked up more.
“Phenomenal,” said Koepka. “It’s been a hell of a run. I’m trying not to let it stop. I mean, four of eight, I like the way that sounds.”
While Koepka is back in the spotlight after his latest feat, he feels his performances over the past two years have not received the accolades they deserved.
“I get Tiger was back, so it’s a little bit different,” he said, referring to Woods’ Masters victory in April that ended a decade-long major drought.
“It was just at a point where I’d felt like if other players had done that, it would have been a way bigger deal.
“But I think you’ve got to find a chip (on your shoulder) or you’ve got to find something to motivate yourself and give you that extra little something going into a tournament or going into an event, whatever it might be, to really want to push you over that line.
“There’s always a chip. I think every great athlete always has a chip … It works for me. Why would I stray from that?”
Editing by Nick Mulvenney