PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

May 22, 2021

Brooks Koepka

The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island

Quick Quotes

JOHN DEVER: We're joined by Brooks Koepka, who posted a 2-under par-70 today. He's 6-under par for the championship, currently in second place. Good round today; did you accomplish what you wanted to or are you lamenting leaving something out there?

BROOKS KOEPKA: I left a lot out there. I've got a chance to win, so that's all I wanted to do today is not give back any shots and be there tomorrow with a chance, and I've got that.

Q. In a season of unknowns, what's the excitement level of putting yourself in this position Sunday of a major?

BROOKS KOEPKA: It just feels good, feels normal. It's what you're supposed to do, what you practice for. I'm right where I want to be, and we'll see how tomorrow goes. Just be within any within three of the lead going into the back nine and you've got a chance.

Q. What's the adjustment you'll need to make with your putting speed?

BROOKS KOEPKA: Hit it harder. That was the worst putting performance I think I've ever had in my career. Can't get much worse. I thought 70 was about the highest I could have shot today.

Q. When you're down five early in the back nine, even though it's Saturday, is there any sense of urgency at that point?

BROOKS KOEPKA: No, just worry about me. Just worry about what I'm doing. Yeah, I saw Phil was at 10 and I was at 5, but just go about my business. I can't control what he's doing, I just need to play better. Simple.

Q. There was a little drama out there today. How important is it for you to be in the final group to go toe to toe with your competitor tomorrow?

BROOKS KOEPKA: Am I in the final group? I don't know.

Q. Looks like it, yeah.

BROOKS KOEPKA: Yeah, it'll be nice. At least I can see what Phil is doing and then I don't have to turn back and look and see what he's up to. Looking forward to it. Got a chance, and everybody will be in front of me so I know what I've got to do.

Q. What would you have said at the start of the week if somebody said you'll be in the final group on Sunday with Phil Mickelson?

BROOKS KOEPKA: I'm in the final group. That's what you want.

Q. You said earlier in the week that sometimes with your knee you can't push off. I think you said one out of every 10 drives or something like that but only with the driver. Have you had that the last couple of days during the competition?

BROOKS KOEPKA: I have not actually. I have not had that once this week. Very pleased. I think it's even -- the strength has increased. I don't know if it was just a little tired, but I've kind of toned back the workouts a little bit, especially this week, just because I know what I've got to do. You're walking on sand a little bit, playing a lot of golf. Just toned it back a hair but made sure I'm still doing the important things in the rehab.

Q. Is it more fatigue or more pain for lack of a better term?

BROOKS KOEPKA: What, when I can't push off?

Q. No, over the course of three days. Is it more fatigue with your knee or is it more pain?

BROOKS KOEPKA: Both.

Q. Less wind today; did it make the course much easier or was it more an adjustment that still presented a challenge that was tough to overcome?

BROOKS KOEPKA: Yeah, it's a tough golf course. I thought it definitely played easier for sure, but this golf course you can make one little mistake and it can be costly. That's why it's a major championship. I think this place is perfect for it, and it will be fun to watch tomorrow.

Q. When you said it was your worst putting performance ever maybe, do you attribute that to the fact that the greens seemed a little slower today than they had been the first two days, or was it something more technical on your side?

BROOKS KOEPKA: Probably both, if I'm honest. I don't know why I felt like I made a big enough stroke, it was just maybe felt a little slow. This putting green I think is a little faster than the greens today. I don't know, I'll go figure this out here shortly and bang -- from inside 10 feet, I'm usually banging it in the back of the cup. If it misses it's going three, four feet by. I didn't have any of those, so obviously it's a speed issue and not trusting it.

Q. Tomorrow the weather is going to be, at least we understand, the wind is going to be from a totally different direction. Some guys have been here on Sunday and experienced it, some have not. Were you here on Sunday to experience it, and if not, does it concern you at all?

BROOKS KOEPKA: No, it's fine. It doesn't matter. Just got to go out and go play good golf. Doesn't matter what direction the wind is going. The goal is still the same.

Q. How important is it for you to be in the final group with Phil tomorrow?

BROOKS KOEPKA: Yeah, it's nice. Like I said, I can see what he's doing, and everybody else is in front of me, so I'll have a good idea on the leaderboard what's going on and just need to putt better. Simple. If I strike it anything like I did the last three days, I'll have a chance.