Confident Koepka eyes 10 majors
BETHPAGE (US): Defending champion Brooks Koepka sees major tournaments such as this week’s PGA Championship as often the easiest events to win and hopes to capture at least 10 before he’s done.
The calm and confident 29year-old American is already a three-time major winner and has lifted two of the past four major trophies entering this week’s showdown at Bethpage Black.
“I think sometimes the majors are the easiest ones to win,” Koepka said Tuesday. “Half the people shoot themselves out of it and mentally I know I can beat most of them, and then from there it’s those guys left, who’s going to play good and who can win.”
That’s why third-ranked Koepka has set his sights on a doubledigit major haul, one that would put him no worse than fourth on the all-time major win list and ahead of such legends as Arnold Palmer, Ben Hogan and Gary Player.
“I don’t see any reason it can’t get to double digits,” Koepka said. “I think you keep doing what you’re supposed to do, you play good, you peak at the right times, I don’t see any reason it can’t.”
There are 155 opponents who would see themselves as obstacles, but Koepka clinically knocks down those odds.
“You figure at least 80 of them I’m just going to beat,” Koepka said. “You figure about half of them won’t play well from there, so you’re down to about maybe 35.
“And then from 35, some of them, pressure is going to get to them. It only leaves you with a few more, and you’ve just got to beat those guys.”
Third-ranked Koepka would become the first player to be back-to-back reigning champion at two majors at the same time by winning this week. He chases a third consecutive US Open triumph next month at Pebble Beach.
“I have the trophy,” Koepka said.
“I’m playing really good. The last time we played this championship, I won. I like my chances this week. If I do what I’m supposed to do, then I think I’d be tough to beat. But at the end of the day, you never know what’s going to happen. You’ve got to go out and play four good days.”
Koepka, however, has learned that you don’t have to lead it until the end.