Iran tension ‘not an issue’, says comeback kid Koepka

ABU DHABI: World number one Brooks Koepka admits he was unsure about playing the US$7 million Abu Dhabi Championship this week, but not because of heightened political tensions in the Middle East.

The 29-year-old American was more unse led by the injury to his le knee that required stem cell treatment and has kept him out of competitive golf for over three months.

Asked ahead of Thursday’s start whether his appearance in Abu Dhabi was in doubt following the killing of Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani in a US drone a ack, Koepka said: “It was not an issue. It was fine and I am happy to be here.”

However, the rehabilitation process of his damaged knee was different.

“I’ve been worried about my knee,” he said.

“Just honestly, thinking about trying to play, trying to get over here for this. I don’t want to say this, but it was kind of up in the air.

He said he started hi ing balls just before Christmas and “everything felt good”.

“From that moment on, a er a couple days of hi ing balls and not feeling pain, I knew I could get back here and do this and finally play.”

It was a second long layoff for the four-time major champion in the past couple of years.

In early 2018, he took a 17week break a er a wrist injury. He came back in stunning fashion, finishing second in the Fort Worth Invitational in his third start and winning the US Open a er six weeks back.

Asked if he had more motivation and expected similar results in his latest comeback, Koepka said: “I don’t know if it gives me more motivation. I don’t think it does.

“But I’m excited. I’m just excited to hit balls. There is an enthusiasm to get out there and play.”