Brooks Koepka: Ready for the Ryder Cup Amidst LIV Golf Controversy
While most of his teammates are taking a break and preparing for the upcoming Ryder Cup, Brooks Koepka is gearing up for the LIV Golf’s Chicago tournament. As the only LIV Golf member who made it onto the U.S. Ryder Cup team, Koepka’s selection was a result of U.S. team captain Zach Johnson’s decision to pick him after he narrowly missed qualifying automatically.
Koepka’s journey to the Ryder Cup has been eventful, especially given the ongoing internal conflicts between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour and his struggles in the last two major championships of the season. However, Koepka remains grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the team and is looking forward to the experience. Reflecting on his selection, Koepka shared, “I’m a pick this year, a little different…Just happy to be on the team.”
Koepka’s performance earlier this year set him up nicely for a Ryder Cup spot, as he finished second at the Masters and went on to win his fifth major title at the PGA Championship. However, his form declined after that, with a T17 finish at the U.S. Open and a T64 finish at the British Open. These results did not earn him any Ryder Cup or Official World Golf Rankings points due to his involvement with LIV Golf events.
Despite the controversies surrounding LIV Golf, Koepka had the support of many fellow golfers leading up to the Ryder Cup team selection. U.S. team captain Zach Johnson had no doubts about selecting Koepka, stating, “He’s built in my mind for the biggest of stages, and there’s no bigger stage than the Ryder Cup…I think his record shows that. I know his buddies want him on the team.”
After completing the LIV Golf event in Chicago, which is the 12th out of 14 tournaments this season, Koepka will join the rest of the U.S. team in Italy for the Ryder Cup. The tournament is set to begin on September 29th, and it will be a challenge for the U.S. team, as they haven’t won on European soil since 1993.
This will be Koepka’s fourth Ryder Cup appearance. With a 6-5-1 overall record and a 2-2-0 record in the U.S. win at Whistling Straits in 2021, he brings valuable experience to the team. Koepka expressed his excitement for the tournament, saying, “I think it’s one of the top six, seven biggest sporting events you can have…I like it when there are a little bit more eyeballs, a little bit more pressure.”
The Ryder Cup holds a special place in the world of golf, and despite the controversies and challenges, Koepka is ready to showcase his skills on the grand stage. As golf fans eagerly await the Ryder Cup, all eyes will be on Koepka and his fellow teammates as they aim to bring the trophy home.