SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Brooks Koepka is back where it all started.
And where, a year ago, it continued.
The four-time major champion has equaled that number of victories in non-majors, giving him eight PGA Tour victories. The WM Phoenix Open is the only venue where he’s won more than once. And it accounts for half of his non-major titles.
“Good memories,” Koepka said Wednesday. “I guess the feels I get on this golf course. … I feel comfortable on it. So hoping for a good week.”
Koepka, whose week starts with a 9:48 a.m. ET tee time Thursday, appears in a good spot in his career despite coming off back-to-back subpar seasons. Subpar, that is, for Koepka. The former No. 1 in the world has dropped to No. 20, his lowest ranking in nearly four years, but a spot hundreds of others would celebrate.
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He’s as healthy as he’s been in years and says he’s striking the ball well, despite missing the cut in his most recent event, the Farmers Insurance Open.
“I feel like I have been playing pretty good recently,” he said. “Just a few kinks we worked out. Doing everything I need to do.”
Koepka likes TPC Scottsdale
And if there is a spot in the world where Koepka can get back on top, it’s the Stadium Course at TPC Scottsdale where he’s left as the champion in half of his four starts with a combined score of 34 under.
The event is known as “The Greatest Show on Grass,” where the winning score has averaged nearly 18 under the last five years. Phil Mickelson tied the tournament record at 28 under in 2013.
“It’s a bomber’s paradise,” Koepka said. “If you can put the ball in play, you can make some good scores.”
And if you don’t, you will hear about it, which is part of the charm for the tournament that hosts the rowdiest hole on the Tour, the par-3, 163-yard, No. 16. Nothing is off limits after the gallery has had time to sample the liquid refreshments.
“The atmosphere is unbelievable,” Koepka said. “I love it. … I love when people get rowdy. They’re cheering you when you hit it tight and they’re booing you when you hit it bad.
“It almost feels like a real sport, like football, basketball, things like that, soccer.”
Brooks Koepka walks up to the 16th hole during practice rounds prior to the 2022 WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale. (Photo: Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Koepka has openly admitted he has difficulty getting motivated for non-majors. Somehow the Farmers or Byron Nelson don’t get the adrenalin pumping like the U.S. Open or PGA Championship. At the top of his game, in 2018-2019, Koepka had a stretch in which he placed in the top four in 6-of-7 majors, winning three – 2018 and ’19 PGA Championship and 2018 U.S. Open.
Koepka has a guess as to why he’s been able to channel that majors’ mentality to the Phoenix Open.
“I think the amount of people, it’s probably equivalent to a major,” Koepka said. “You hit a bad shot, they’re going to get on you. Kind of refocuses you. I enjoy that atmosphere … I like that.
“I think that’s probably contributed to the success out here, but I don’t know. I think that’s just a guess.”
Phoenix becomes the unofficial start to Koepka’s season, especially after missing the cut at Farmers. He enters a three-week stretch in which he plays at Phoenix, the Genesis Open at Riviera and the Honda Classic at PGA National.
But even though Koepka has been quiet on the course lately, he’s still working on his branding off the course, making sure he’s never out of sight. After all, there is that Players Impact Program prize money, which rewards players who drive fan and sponsor engagement through social media. This year, it’s up to $50 million.
‘Blondes have more fun’
Koepka arrived at Torrey Pines for the Farmers with dyed bleach-blond hair. After revealing it to the social media vultures, he posted a video of the process with the caption “Blondes have more fun.”
Koepka said his barber was pushing for the makeover for about a year. “I just decided. … all right. We got bored, so might as well do it.”
That was on the lighter side.
On the more serious side, Koepka recently found another foil for a rivalry, moving his target from Bryson DeChambeau—Koepka won that one in a knockout—to Mickelson, taking a shot at the Hall of Famer for criticizing the PGA Tour for its “obnoxious greed.”
“(Don’t know) if I’d be using the word greedy if I were Phil…” he wrote on his Instagram account.
Brooks Koepka signs autographs for fans following a practice rounds prior to the 2022 WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale. (Photo: Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Koepka stood by his criticism Wednesday but would not add to the feud. He did double down on his loyalty to the PGA Tour, saying they “do things the right way, (are) people I want to do business with,” when asked about the Saudi-backed super golf league.
“I said what I said. I don’t need to say anything more. You take it how you want. I know what I meant by it, but it’s up to you,” he said about his shot at Mickelson.
Mission accomplished.