Masters contenders beware: Brooks Koepka is finally feeling like his major-winning self again.
There is an ominous feel about Brooks Koepka just two weeks out from the Masters.
Not only is he quietly starting to look the business – posting T9, T13 and T18 as his last three starts on the PGA Tour – but he’s also beginning to sound like he’s ready to win majors again.
Koepka has not contended since his return from LIV Golf but has been building momentum as eyes turn to Augusta National. He is ranked first in Strokes Gained: Approach on the PGA Tour this season and has looked more comfortable on the greens since ditching his blade for a mallet putter.
Now, the American’s only concern is his driver. He says a problem with his Titleist GT3 driver last week cost him “six or seven shots” last week – where he ironically finished seven shots behind the champion Matt Fitzpatrick at the Valspar Championship.
That problem has been diagnosed ahead of this week’s Houston Open, where Koepka is among the leading contenders. The five-time major champion feels he is closing in on a return to the level that made him the best player in the world.
“We found out the driver might have been a little cracked a little last week so that might have contributed to some sprays off the tee, and the spin rate just wasn’t right,” he explained.
“So we’ve just put a new head in this week and I’ll hopefully drive it a bit better. I think that’s the missing piece for me because I feel it’s costing me a few shots, but if I can put it in the fairway the way I’m hitting my irons it feels like 2018 and 2019.”
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Koepka missed the cut last time around at the Masters but missed a golden opportunity to win the Green Jacket when he uncharacteristically faded in his showdown with Jon Rahm in 2023. A few weeks later, he won the PGA Championship at Oak Hill.
This week at Memorial Park, Koepka has one goal to tick off before heading to Georgia.
“The only thing is I really haven’t put myself in contention with nine holes to go. That’s really the last missing piece that I feel like I need to accomplish here before Augusta. I just need to get the juices flowing of having a chance to win a golf tournament. It’s been a while.”
Of course, a content Koepka usually tends to be a dangerous one.
“I love the way I’m playing,” he said. “Just want to put myself in contention here for the first time before Augusta. My game is rounding into form. I can see it. I don’t know if maybe results-wise, it probably hasn’t looked that way, but I can see it as a whole, it’s really all starting to come together.”