Koepka eyes ‘more consistency’ in his game at Players Championship

Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida – five-time major champion brooks koepka Will makes his fourth PGA Tour start of the season at The Players this week, but it will be the first time he competes against nearly all of the circuit’s top stars.

Having to play in non-signature events as part of the PGA Tour’s Returning Member Program, the former LIV Golf League captain has been forced to watch limited-field tournaments like last week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational.

“I mean, you want to be there last week, but I think those are the results of my decisions,” Koepka said Tuesday at TPC Sawgrass. “I’m a big boy, I understand that. So, I have to sit at home and watch, and the answer to everything is to play good golf and everything will work itself out.”

Since returning to the PGA Tour on January 12, Koepka’s results have been mixed. He finished tied for 56th at 4 under in his first tournament at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines outside San Diego on January 29, then missed the cut the following week at the WM Phoenix Open after playing 76–69.

Koepka, 35, said he felt like he had success against a weak field at the Cognizant Classic in Palm Beaches on March 1. He shot a 6-under 65 in the final round, after switching from a blade putter to a spider model that week.

“I think the first week was just trying to get it out of the way,” Koepka said. “Then the second week, I thought it was too disappointing. Made some changes [with a] New putter, just working on some different mechanical things in putting. [I] It just felt like it started clicking, I guess.”

While sidelined from API, Koepka played in the Seminole Pro-Member at Seminole Golf Club in Juno Beach, Florida. He went to Orlando, Florida for the weekend to continue working with his caddy, Ricky Elliott.

“I think there have been a lot of mechanical changes along with that change,” Koepka said of the putter switch. “I would definitely say the mechanical issues are the tough parts of it. But I mean, if you look at it, the face rotation on the Spider is a little less than the Blade. Just looking for a little more stability.”

Koepka said he appreciated the welcome from fans and other PGA Tour players since his return.

“I didn’t know what to expect, but the fans have been so nice,” he said. “I’m still getting the ‘welcome back’ vibe like yesterday, so I mean, it’s a good feeling. It feels good to be back. I’m enjoying it. It’s a lot of fun, and the players have been great, too.”

Even some of the golfers who benefited after he left for the LIV Golf League have thanked him for opening up spots at tournament grounds.

“I feel like every week someone thanks me, which is weird,” Koepka said.

Koepka will look to carry that momentum into the Players, where he has never finished in the top-10 in six starts. He missed the cut in his most recent start on the Stadium Course in 2022, carding 72-81.

One thing Koepka probably didn’t forget was the iconic 17th green at TPC Sawgrass.

That year, after the second round was delayed due to inclement weather, Koepka had to play the par-3 17th with a 35 mph wind when play resumed on Saturday. His first attempt with an 8-iron was just short of the island green and went into the water. After making a double bogey 5 in the first round, he carded a triple-bogey 6.

“That 17th hole has inspired me for years,” Koepka said. “I’ve played good rounds here; it’s kind of a bugaboo that always gets to me.”

In 20 career rounds on the Stadium Course, Koepka is 17th at 20th overall. He has recorded two bogeys, three doubles, two triples and two quadruple-bogey 7s. He hit the island greens only 55% of the time and hit 10 balls into the water.

“I don’t think about it. It doesn’t bother me,” Koepka said. “I mean, my friends, they tell me a lot of crap about it. My friends criticize me about it. So, I mean, it’s all fun and games. Then I just have to go out and do it.”

Koepka found the 17th green during a practice round on Monday.

“I was very excited about it,” he said.