KOEPKA’S PAIN OVERHURTFAN
BY EUAN McLEAN BROOKS KOEPKA laughed at talk of a bust-up with Dustin Johnson but nearly cried for the golf fan he blinded with a wayward tee shot at the Ryder Cup.
The American’s frustration at the reports claiming he and Johnson had to be separated during a boozy altercation was the least of his worries on Monday.
He reached out to the family of injured spectator Corine Remande, 49, who has lost the sight in her right eye in a moment that has left Koepka feeling “torn up inside”.
He said: “Yesterday was one of the worst days of my life. When I was told the news about Mrs Remande I was heartbroken.
“My stomach sank and yesterday was probably one of the hardest days of trying to focus on playing golf, knowing what is going to come.
“I spent an hour and a half on the phone and making text messages to get the real story of what was going on. It’s sad and I am torn up about it.
“We reached out to Mrs Remande and her husband to see how things are going and we didn’t hear back last night. I’m looking forward to speaking to her today or in the next few days because there is nobody who feels worse about this than I do.
“It’s a tragic accident and I’m heartbroken, I’m all messed up inside.
“In my career it will be the one shot I definitely regret even though everyone from the Ryder Cup and the PGA of America have assured me she will get the care she needs.
“It’s upsetting, it really is. I hit a golf ball and someone lost sight in their eye.
“The European Tour and the PGA Tour do an unbelievable job but unfortunately we can’t always hit the fairway every time. It seems every week someone gets hit.”