Koepka's 'incredible' comeback from injury, Latest Golf News - The New Paper
Golf

Koepka's 'incredible' comeback from injury

Sitting on a couch watching the Masters on television with an injured left wrist, golfer Brooks Koepka never dreamt he would win two majors this year, much less battle his boyhood idols.

But the 28-year-old American did just that, defending his title at the US Open in June and taking his third Major crown yesterday morning (Singapore time) at the PGA Championship by two strokes over Tiger Woods.

"When I look at what I've done in the past two months, it's incredible," Koepka said.

"Looking where I was, sitting on my couch watching the Masters, to think I would do this, I would have laughed at you and told you there was no way, no chance. I can't even believe it."

As impressive as his long drives was Koepka's coolness under pressure, a composure that has become a trademark.

"When I show up at the Majors I'm very focused, very disciplined," he said.

"For some reason, the Majors get my attention. When you're firing at flags you have to be calm and focus on every shot."

To battle Woods and 2013 Masters winner Adam Scott, an Australian who finished third, was a dream for Koepka, who idolised both in his youth.

"To duel it out with them, it's pretty neat. I don't think I ever dreamt of that situation that I was in," Koepka said.

"It really is surreal."

Koepka has won three Majors in 14 months, the fastest run since Ireland's Padraig Harrington took the 2007 and 2008 British Open and the PGA.

And he felt pressure as the roars for Woods reverberated across the course.

"You could hear a different roar like every 30 seconds, so we knew what was going on," Koepka said.

"It's pretty obvious when Tiger makes a birdie. I'm sure everyone is rooting for him.

"I was very impressed with the way I hung in there. But to hear some of these roars, I can't even begin to tell you."

Even so, it didn't rock Koepka's indomitable self-confidence.

"I knew even when everybody was making that charge, if I just hung in there, made one good shot at a time, kept it rolling, I was going to have a chance to separate myself," Koepka said.

"And that finally came." - AFP

Golf