There was a time when attaching a microphone to Brooks Koepka during a round of golf did not seem remotely appealing. As the 30-year-old has risen to the level of multi-major champion, he has simultaneously discovered his voice. The entertainment level is generally high.
Koepka was shooting from the hip again after signing for a four-under-par 67 to open the RBC Heritage in South Carolina. Coverage of the PGA Tour’s spectator-free return has been boosted by some players wearing microphones. Not so Koepka, who replied “I do” when asked if he had thoughts on the concept. He duly let fly.
“I don’t understand why they want us to wear a mic when there’s a boom mic that stands 10 feet away from every shot that I hit,” Koepka said. “If the announcers would just shut up and listen, you could hear every word that we’re talking about. I don’t understand what the thing is. Half the time the lady’s holding a boom mic, and she’s listening to everything we’re saying all the way down. If they would just shut up, they could hear everything.”
After a sluggish start to 2020, Koepka’s clubs are finally talking again. Yet Koepka finds himself trailing Ian Poulter by three after day one at Hilton Head. The Englishman produced a blemish-free scorecard and back nine of only 31.
Poulter’s pandemic approach was interesting. He played only four rounds during the Tour’s 91-day suspension, instead spending his time on detailed range sessions. “I’m not one that plays round after round after round after round to feel that I need to be ready to play golf,” Poulter said.
Poulter stopped short of echoing Rory Mcllroy’s stark remarks about European players who have opted not to travel to the US for the PGA Tour’s restart. The world rankings system began with the US events and has triggered controversy. “What’s the right and what’s the wrong thing to do in this scenario when you’ve got 16 of the top 20 players playing here this week?” Poulter asked. “It feels a little unjust to the guys in Europe that aren’t playing, but how can you not have world ranking points in a tournament like this when you’ve got this level of field?”
McIlroy admitted to not feeling entirely settled during a round of 72. This marks his first visit to the RBC Heritage site since 2009. “I can remember not being that comfortable around here back then,” the world No 1 said. “It’s still sort of the same. I’m just not comfortable trying to pick lines and really committing to shots. I just wasn’t as committed today as I need to be around here.”
Viktor Hovland signed for a 65. Jordan Spieth’s 66 was one for the ages; the Texan made a triple bogey on his third hole and played the front nine, his second half, in 29. “I really enjoy playing this golf course,” Spieth said. “It’s one of the cooler courses. I haven’t had necessarily a ton of success but I also haven’t played it very often.”