OAKMONT, Pa. — Over recent months, Brooks Koepka has had his fair share of frustrations, particularly with his performances in major tournaments. Missing a cut at such crucial events didn’t sit well with him.
Reflecting on his challenging period starting from the first weekend in April until the previous week, Koepka acknowledged on Thursday, following the initial round of the U.S. Open, that his temperament was less than accommodating during that time. “It drove me nuts. It ate at me. I haven’t been happy. It’s been very irritating,” he expressed.
However, Koepka’s spirits might be on the upswing following his recent performance. He carded a 2-under par 68 at Oakmont, positioning himself in third place, trailing the leader, J.J. Spaun, by just two strokes. Koepka’s impressive play included a remarkable 42-foot eagle putt on the par-5 fourth hole. Despite a setback to even par, he managed to finish strongly with birdies on the 17th and 18th holes.
Commenting on his performance, he noted, “I thought I played pretty consistent, drove it really well. Iron play was pretty good. When I did miss it, I felt like I missed it in the correct spots. A couple of good bunker shots.” His satisfaction with the finish gives hope for the following rounds.
Koepka’s recent journey has been bumpy, having missed cuts in both the Masters and the PGA Championship this year. Although he boasts five major titles, his last top-10 finish was at the 2023 PGA Championship at Oak Hill. His most recent victory in LIV Golf was over a year ago, which contributed to his frustration.
Adding to his exasperation, Koepka’s coach, Pete Cowan, wasn’t shy in expressing his own frustration. Koepka recounted an intense 45-minute session with Cowan in a bunker earlier in the week, which even prompted fellow golfer Justin Thomas to check in on him. “I wasn’t happy with it, but it was something I think you need to hear or I needed to hear at the right time,” Koepka remarked.
Honesty from his team matters to Koepka. He values straight shooters around him who can provide genuine feedback. “I don’t like having ‘yes’ people around me. I just want somebody to tell me the truth, tell me what’s going on,” he said.
During a round where only ten players managed to finish below par, with only two ahead of him, Koepka had ample reason for satisfaction. “I feel good. It’s nice to put a good round together. It’s been a while,” Koepka commented, indicating the hard work he’s been putting in to correct some persistent issues.
Koepka looks forward to carrying this momentum into the remaining rounds, as he strives to regain his form after periods of battling challenging swing habits and positioning.