2023 Masters runner up Brooks Koepka was the clubhouse chief after every of the opening three rounds however failed to fireside within the final. He nonetheless needed to resist the media on Sunday.
After the spherical he needed to communicate to the media, Koepka started with reflecting: “Yeah, clearly it’s tremendous disappointing, proper. Didn’t play ok to win. Hit some photographs the place I additionally really feel like I didn’t get some good breaks, the ball on 9; on 4 and 6, hit some good photographs and simply ended up in some horrible spots the place it was fairly tough.
Then 12, it was simply form of fascinating, Jon hit 9 and I hit wedge over the inexperienced. Then 14, I felt like I simply needed to make a run for it. Didn’t really feel like I did an excessive amount of fallacious, however that’s how golf goes typically.
Brooks Koepka talks after disappointment
Q. You’re a reasonably quick participant, as we all know. Curious your ideas on tempo of play this afternoon?
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BROOKS KOEPKA: Yeah, the group in entrance of us was brutally gradual. Jon went to the lavatory like seven instances throughout the spherical, and we have been nonetheless ready.
Q. When the lead turned a deficit, what, if something, modified along with your sport plan?
BROOKS KOEPKA: I believe it was simply be affected person till most likely about 13, after which we needed to be a bit extra aggressive. I assumed that — I let most likely 9 stick on me for a bit bit longer than it ought to have as a result of if this ball simply dribbles on the inexperienced, it’s tight. Then an excellent momentum putt on 10.
But it’s what it’s. I attempted. Gave it my all, so I can fall asleep at night time.
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Q. Did something really feel totally different immediately than the final three days?
BROOKS KOEPKA: Not actually. I believe it felt the identical. I really feel like I used to be putting the ball fairly properly. Poor tee shot on 1 however acquired fortunate.
Then, you understand, poor tee shot on 8, which is an enormous birdie gap, and I felt like that’s form of the place the momentum shifted proper there on 8 and 9, is what I felt like.
Q. And clearly not the consequence you wished, however how do you concentrate on this yr in comparison with final yr?
BROOKS KOEPKA: Well, I’m wholesome so it’s utterly totally different. I simply chalk that as much as — you’ve seen it — if any person’s not wholesome, they’ll’t compete. I simply wash these two years in my head.
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Q. The shot on 6, curious, have been you shocked it flew the inexperienced that far, and what’s the second shot there?
BROOKS KOEPKA: Yeah, I believe Jon hit 7-iron and he got here up quick, and I’m a few half-club longer than him with the irons. I hit a three-quarter 7 and it went over. If it was on the upslope, it might have been lots simpler. But the ball was sitting on a downslope and, for no matter purpose, simply form of skidded when it — I assumed I hit a reasonably good pitch. Just skidded. I used to be lucky sufficient simply to remain up.
But I felt like proper there, that was form of irritating.
Q. I do know you most likely received’t just like the LIV questions, however with you close to the highest and Phil up there and Patrick close to the highest 10, what do you guys assume you proved this week in regards to the high quality of play on that circuit?
BROOKS KOEPKA: Nobody — I imply, we’re nonetheless the identical folks. So I imply, I do know if I’m wholesome, I do know I can compete. I don’t assume any of the blokes that performed this occasion thought in any other case, both. When Phil performs good, we all know he’s going to compete. P-Reed, the identical factor.
I believe that’s simply manufactured by the media that we will’t compete anymore; that we’re washed up.
‘Masters the best in the world’ – Koepka
Q. Following up on what you simply stated, you performed properly, Phil performed properly. From a fan’s perspective, what do you hope this event and this displaying does for the game?
BROOKS KOEPKA: I believe it’s the very best event on the planet, and I believe everyone placed on a reasonably good show. You know, Phil, what did he shoot immediately, 7-under? That’s fairly spectacular. Spieth, 6. P-Reed 4, Cameron Young, 4. I believe me and Viktor have been the one ones to shoot over par.
But the best way Jon performed immediately was fairly spectacular. I don’t know, the sport, it’s so good proper now, everyone, it’s superb to see all these guys compete. When they’re at their finest, they’re all robust to beat.
Q. Do you assume the Masters and the proof of play from each side shrinks the divide?
BROOKS KOEPKA: Repeat it? Sorry.
Q. Do you hope from the efficiency of everybody, each the LIV Golf and the PGA TOUR, that this shrinks the fracture within the sport from a fan’s perspective?
BROOKS KOEPKA: Yeah, I imply, I suppose it’s fractured, I suppose, from the fan’s perspective. But so far as us, I imply, I believe everyone noticed it this week. It’s good to see everyone. There’s no exhausting emotions just about. I believe that’s the best way everyone ought to see it.
Q. It felt like a lot of the misses have been left for you. And, except that’s fallacious, what do you assume was resulting in that?
BROOKS KOEPKA: I simply toed it on 1, making an attempt to carry it. So that’s most likely by no means good.
And then 8, I suppose, was left. And then 17. So I suppose they have been.
I don’t know, man. If I knew, I might have mounted it on the market (smiling).
Q. When you take a look at guys like Talor Gooch and Harold and the way the World Rankings is likely to be their solely pathway again into these majors, what do you assume has to vary to make sure that the majors do have all the very best gamers on the planet?
BROOKS KOEPKA: I don’t know. That’s less than me, man. That’s a tricky one. I don’t understand how — I imply, yeah. That’s robust. I don’t know how they will do it. It undoubtedly makes it tougher, that’s for positive.
Q. You completed second earlier than in majors that you just’ve been close to the highest. Is it exhausting to view them as a optimistic when it comes after a day like immediately?
BROOKS KOEPKA: Probably not. Not immediately. Probably not for the following few days. But finally it is going to be a optimistic. I’d say most likely give it per week, and I’ll begin to see some positives out of it and carry this over to the PGA, the U.S. Open and The Open.
But proper now, it’s form of robust to see, if I’m trustworthy, most likely for the following few hours and the following few days.
Q. Just alongside these traces, what positives may you are taking out of it going into the following three majors? Do you’re feeling such as you’re again and now that you just’re wholesome, you may win majors once more?
BROOKS KOEPKA: Yeah, I believe I proved it this week, no?
Q. Yeah, I agree.
BROOKS KOEPKA: I imply, I’ve identified this for some time, however I suppose it was only a matter of going out and doing it. I led for 3 rounds, and simply didn’t do it on the final day, that’s it. Plain and easy.
THE MODERATOR: Okay, girls and gents, thanks once more, Brooks, for an incredible event. We’ve appreciated all of your questions and solutions within the media room, too, so thanks in your time.
BROOKS KOEPKA: Thank you.
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