Koepka still not a fan of Kent course despite hitting closing 65
Not even a flourish to finish could change Brooks Koepka’s mind about Royal St George’s, admitting the Kent course still hadn’t grown on him.
“Same thing, it’s not my favourite in the rotation,” said the four-time major winner, having expressed the same opinion in the build-up to the 149th Open.
Koepka was speaking after signing off with a five-underpar 65 as he bounced back manfully from a damaging 72 in the penultimate circuit.
“I leave here a little bit frustrated,” he said. “I mean, I’m not happy. I would love yesterday back. I drove it well but the iron play wasn’t there – and I didn’t make any putts. But you need four solid rounds to compete in the majors.”
Koepka’s next crack at the Claret Jug will be at St Andrews and he said of that assignment: “I just really can’t wait for next year. St Andrews is my favourite place in the entire world and that will be one I’m really looking forward to.”
More immediately, he’s looking forward to watching the Olympics - but not the golf events in Japan.
He said: “The way I put it, if you’re an accountant, you don’t go home and watch accountants do work. I understand that most people see golf as a hobby. But this is my job.”
Rory Mcilroy, who missed the 2015 event at St Andrews due to an injury sustained in a football kickabout, finished eight shots behind Koepka afteraclosing71thatcontained four birdies but also a double-bogey and three bogeys. “I need to look at the positives, and the positives are I made enough birdies this week to contend in the golf tournament,” said the 2014 winner.