Brooks Koepka Prepares for The Players Championship
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — Five-time major champion Brooks Koepka is set to make his fourth appearance on the PGA Tour this season at the Players Championship, marking his first competition against most of the tour’s elite players.
Due to the PGA Tour’s Returning Member Program, Koepka was limited to non-signature events. This restriction meant he missed participating in high-profile competitions like last week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational.
“It would have been great to compete last week, but I accept the consequences of my choices,” Koepka noted at TPC Sawgrass. “I’m aware of what comes with my decisions, and the best way to address everything is to focus on playing well.”
Mixed Results Since Return
Since his return on January 12, Koepka’s performances have varied. He tied for 56th at 4 under in his initial tournament at the Farmers Insurance Open but missed the cut shortly after at the WM Phoenix Open.
Recent Improvements
Despite earlier struggles, Koepka feels he made significant progress at the Cognizant Classic. After switching to a Spider putter, he shot a remarkable 6-under 65 in the final round on March 1.
Positive Reception from Fans and Players
Koepka expressed gratitude for the warm welcome from fans and fellow golfers since his return to the PGA Tour. “I didn’t know what to expect, but the fans have been amazing, and I’ve received a lot of ‘welcome back’ messages,” he said.
A Challenging 17th Hole
Looking to build on his recent success, Koepka aims to improve his track record at the Players Championship, where he has yet to achieve a top-10 finish in six attempts. His last outing at the Stadium Course ended with him missing the cut after rounds of 72 and 81.
Koepka has notoriously struggled with the 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass, where he has faced difficulties over the years. “The 17th has been a challenge for me,” he admitted. “I’ve had some good rounds but that hole keeps haunting me.” Nevertheless, he successfully reached the green during a practice round on Monday, which he found encouraging.
