Brooks Koepka: Knee still isn’t 100 percent but ‘dramatically’ better than at Masters
Brooks Koepka returns this week to the site of one of his bigger disappointments, but he couldn’t be happier to be at TPC Craig Ranch in Dallas.
“It’s just nice to be back playing, to be honest with you,” he said.
Koepka suffered a right knee cap dislocation and ligament damage that forced him to withdraw from the Players Championship on March 7 and undergo surgery. He returned to play at the Masters, which he deemed “very satisfying” just to get back, but wasn’t himself.
“I don’t enjoy missing cuts,” he said.
With the PGA Championship, a major he’s won twice (in 2018 and 2019), just a week away, Koepka said an additional month of rehab has helped, but made it clear that he’s still not 100 percent.
“I still can’t squat down, get into a catcher’s position or fully bend down,” he said. “You know, still be a while before I’m 100 percent. It’s dramatically better than it was at Augusta. You know, I feel like the strength is getting there. The mobility is getting there. I’m ahead of schedule. Long ways ahead of schedule of where I should be at this point, so I’m very pleased.”
Brooks Koepka stretches to line up a putt on the 14th green during the first round of the 2021 Masters Tournament on Thursday, April 8, 2021, in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo: David J. Phillip/Associated Press)
Koepka went through a winless spell last season, but returned to the winner’s circle at the Waste Management Phoenix Open in February and then was in the thick of the trophy hunt at the WGC-Workday Championship at the Concession. He looked on his way to returning to the dominant force that claimed four majors and reached World No. 1. And then another injury setback.
Koepka said he hasn’t made any swing adjustments to accommodate for the injury, but he’s struggling to load on his right side.
AT&T Byron Nelson: Tee times, TV info | Matchups, prop bets
“I get off it,” he said. “That happens with the longer clubs, mainly driver. But everything from about 7-iron in, no problem.”
Koepka is making his sixth career start at the AT&T Byron Nelson, with his best result being a playoff defeat to Sergio Garcia in 2016. That, however, was at TPC Four Seasons Las Colinas. This year, the tournament shifts to TPC Craig Ranch, where Koepka has memories he’s buried somewhere in the back recesses of his mind.
“I remember leaving disappointed,” he said more than once.
In 2012, TPC Craig Ranch was the site of Koepka flaming out of the second stage of PGA Tour Qualifying School. He wasn’t alone – Jordan Spieth was among the casualties. While Spieth took advantage of the sponsor invite route, Koepka wasn’t so fortunate and instead earned playing privileges on the European Tour’s Challenge Tour and worked his way up the golf ladder the hard way. It helped make Koepka the player he is today.
“I wasn’t nearly the same player I am today as back in ’12. Maybe I don’t get out here as quickly. You know, who knows? I could have gone through and failed in the final stage and still be stuck on mini tours. You never know,” he said. “It’s one of those crazy things. But it worked out, so I’m not going to complain.”
Nor is he complaining that his knee feels months ahead of schedule.
List
Check the yardage book: TPC Craig Ranch for the AT&T Byron Nelson
