'I Don’t Care. They Can Think Whatever They Want To Think' - Koepka Responds To Critics
Speaking on Wednesday, the four-time Major winner revealed how much his injury troubles have truly affected him
In June 2022, Brooks Koepka made the move to LIV Golf, with the American originally vowing his loyalty to the PGA Tour before joining not long after. Since then, he has picked up a LIV Golf Invitational Series event in Jeddah and has fallen outside of the World's Top 100 due to the Saudi-backed circuit still not being eligible for Official World Golf Ranking points.
Although it's unclear as to why Brooks left the PGA Tour to join LIV, one reason seemed to be revealed in the recent 'Full Swing' Netflix docuseries, where the American was seen to be struggling mentally with his game. Along with the mental struggles, Koepka has also been injured, with the 32-year-old dislocating his kneecap and damaging ligaments two years ago.
Speaking recently, he stated that “I don’t care. They can think whatever they want to think," in relation to people commenting on his move and, on Wednesday, Koepka explained that: “Listen, I’ve played into the villain role."
He went on to add: “I’m always honest about where I’m at and what I feel is going on. Nothing has changed there. Just honest in how I felt. A lot of what was portrayed as me just in golf. They left out a lot of that because of injury. Ask any athlete that’s ever been through injury. You lose a lot of confidence.”
Recently, it was reported by well-connected journalist and author, Alan Shipnuck, that Koepka may be having some "buyer’s remorse" over his move to LIV. This came when Koepka had missed the cut and finished in a tie for 46th in two Asian Tour events, whilst the PGA Tour were taking in the sights of the party-like atmosphere of the Waste Management Phoenix Open.
However, these claims were put to bed by son of the LIV CEO, Greg Norman Jr, who quickly banished the statement on Twitter, simply replying with: "No. Bs."
Now, with Koepka claiming that “right now I’m exactly where I want to be," will we see more of the form that netted him four Major titles in just a two year span? Well, according to Koepka, he "feels as good as I did before," adding "I’m able to do things that I was doing in 2019."
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Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.
Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.
Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?
Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°
Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°
Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°
Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW
Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°
Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
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