Brooks Koepka is the highest-ranked LIV player in Ryder Cup qualifying and could still feature for Team USA this September Koepka chases PGA Championship success after losing the lead in the final round at The Masters last month.
By Ali Stafford in Oak Hill
Last Updated: 17/05/23 8:38pm
Brooks Koepka not focused on potential Ryder Cup spot, but captain Zach Johnson wants to play if selected
Brooks Koepka not focused on potential Ryder Cup spot, but captain Zach Johnson wants to play if selected
Brooks Koepka has admitted he wants to force Zach Johnson into his Ryder Cup plans as he looks to recover from a „choke” at The Masters at the PGA Championship.
Koepka took a four-shot lead into the final day at Augusta National and was two ahead of Jon Rahm heading into the final round, where he struggled to a three-over 75 to miss his first major win since 2019.
said the former world no.1 player Sorry My Take Podcast: „Yeah, I would classify it as a choke. It was really bad. I mean, come on. You’ve got a four-shot lead. I was playing well and choked it. But it’s okay, we’ll figure it out.”
Highlights from Koepka’s final round at The Masters
Asked about those comments ahead of the PGA Championship, Koepka said he was „just confused” before adding: „It’s suffocating, right? If you have a lead, it’s suffocating. But at the same time, I’m not dwelling on it.”
Koepka later added: „I didn’t sleep Sunday night, trying to figure out what exactly it was. I thought about it a few days later, and I was really at home thinking about what I was doing and what went wrong. From there, I never let it happen. It’s going to happen again. That’s the whole goal, isn’t it?” ?
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„I’ve been in that position twice and not capitalized. I can’t do it every time. I’m not perfect. As long as I learn from it, I’ll be fine. That.”
Could Koepka feature for Team USA?
Ryder Cup president Johnson said the possibility of LIV players in the Ryder Cup is „not even a topic of discussion” at the moment, with American players still eligible for this year’s biennial despite being banned or withdrawn from the PGA Tour.
US Ryder Cup captain Zach Johnson refused to be drawn on whether he would select LIV golfers for this year’s event.
Six wild cards will complete Johnson’s squad in Rome this September, and along with six automatic qualifiers, Koepka is currently ranked 22nd to qualify for this week’s major at Oak Hill.
„It would be awesome to represent America,” Koepka added. „Whenever we do it, it’s fun, but I don’t focus on that. It’s not my first thought when I play well this week. If I just take care of my business here, everything will take care of itself.
Koepka is one of 16 players from LIV at the PGA Championship
„If you win, it’s kind of hard not to pick second, first, first, first, right? If you’re going to handle business, I think I should be fine. But it’s out of my hands. Until then, Zach and whatever happens.
„I’ll play my best and see what happens from there, but I want to play for him. It’s hard to be in Zach’s mind or where he’s at, but I want to make it tough on him.
Koepka (right) and Dustin Johnson (left) hope to feature in the Ryder Cup for Team USA despite moving to LIV
„I think it’s going to be cool. The only thing I can do is play well. If I play well, everything takes care of itself. Like I said, it’s out of my hands. I’m not the one making the decisions. I can just go play golf.”
Johnson: 'I don’t need to keep proving myself’
Dustin Johnson, two years after winning all five of his matches at Whistling Straits, is uncertain whether he will play again in the Ryder Cup.
Speaking ahead of the PGA Championship, Dustin Johnson admitted he wanted to play in the Ryder Cup this year, despite being part of LIV Golf.
„I don’t know if I’ll be elected,” Johnson said. „Of course, if I play well throughout the year, there’s definitely a chance. I definitely want to play in the Ryder Cup. It’s one of my favorite events, especially after the last Ryder Cup.
„I’ve known Jack a long time, so I’m sure he’ll be taking care of things. You never know. Play really well in the majors, obviously in the next three majors, and play some good, solid, consistent golf from here through the year, who knows what will happen.
„I think I’ve proven myself here long enough that I don’t have to keep proving myself. I already have over the years. It’s the same with all the other guys. It’s just where we play. It’s not. Don’t change the style of golf that we are.”
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