Top-ranked Koepka not feeling pressure
“I haven’t peaked yet.”
That’s a scary thought, for those were the words of Brooks Koepka a few days before he left for Asia to begin his 2018-19 season, a confident, straight forward declaration that certainly didn’t ring shallow despite his lofty achievements of late.
Take note, mind you, that he’s a three-time major champion, two of those coming this year when he successfully defended his U.S. Open title and held off Tiger Woods to lift the Wanamaker Trophy at the PGA Championship. Also take note that he’s won three of the last six majors he’s played, and he’s won three of his last 12 worldwide starts. And he said those words the day he was announced as the PGA Tour’s player of the year for the 2017-18 season despite missing four months with a wrist injury that threatened his career.
But despite a power game the envy of nearly all his peers, a progressing iron game from within 150 yards and an everimproving short game, not to mention one of the game’s best temperaments, a short memory and soaring confidence, Koepka believes there is room for improvement.
And he hasn’t changed his mind despite reaching the top of the golf world. Koepka became the world’s No. 1 player after winning his season debut at the CJ Cup at Nine Bridges in South Korea by four shots last week, which included a back-nine 29 en route to a final-round 64.
It was further proof of another strength of Koepka’s – his game travels. The victory was his 12th worldwide. He’s won in six countries – U.S., South Korea, Scotland, Turkey, Italy and Spain. And he’s won on three tours, the PGA Tour, European Tour and European Challenge Tour.
“I’ve got a good team behind me. I’ve got a good game plan … keep things simple with my golf swing,” Koepka, 28, said. “I’m still working on the same things with my coaches that I’ve worked on from day one, so they’re not going to change anything. I’m not going to let them change anything.
“We’ll just keep trying to find ways to improve a little bit.”
This week on tour
Sheshan International GC, Shanghai.
Wednesday-Thursday, 7 p.m.-1 a.m. (Golf Channel); Friday-Saturday, 8 p.m.-1 a.m. (Golf Channel).
The Americans go for a sweep of the World Golf Championships following victories by Phil Mickelson (Mexico), Bubba Watson (Match Play) and Justin Thomas (Firestone). None of the three is playing in Shanghai. … Dustin Johnson last year tied a PGA Tour record by losing a six-shot lead in the final round. Justin Rose won from eight shots behind.
Country Club of Jackson (Miss.) Thursday-Sunday, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. (Golf Channel).
The winner gets a spot in the PGA Championship, but not the Masters. … The tournament began in 1986. Paul Azinger and Nick Faldo were runner-up each of the first two years. Sherwood CC, Thousand Oaks, Calif.
Friday-Sunday, 2:30-5 p.m. (Golf Channel).
This is the second of three events in the Charles Schwab Cup playoffs, with the field reduced to 54 players. … The top 36 advance to final event on Nov. 8-11 at the Charles Schwab Cup Championship in Phoenix. … Fran Quinn tied for third last week and moved from No. 64 to No. 45 in the Schwab Cup. It’s the second straight year he advanced to the second playoff event with a top-10 finish. Ta Shee Golf & CC, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
(all tape delay on Golf Channel): Thursday, 3-6:30 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 5-7:30 p.m.; Sunday, 6-9 p.m.
This is the third tournament of a five-week stretch in Asia in which the LPGA Tour plays in South Korea, Japan, Taiwan and twice in China. … Sung Hyun Park is in the field as the No. 1 player. She tied for 26th last week in Shanghai.