PALMETTO CHAMPIONSHIP AT CONGAREE

June 11, 2021

Brooks Koepka

Congaree Golf Club

Quick Quotes

Q. Brooks, what did you get out of this week?

BROOKS KOEPKA: Reps. That's what I need. I just need tournament reps and trying to hit different shots on your competition. I've missed so much of the season just with the knee, where I feel like I'm already a little bit behind.

Yeah, I like where my game's at. I'm striking it well, putting it well. So I don't see anything wrong. It's just, like I said, maybe a little lack of focus and maybe -- these weeks before the majors, I start thinking about next week instead of where I'm at. It's not an excuse, but it just needs to be better. I need to be where I'm at currently, even more present in this tournament than thinking about next week.

Q. What do you need to work on more in any part of your game?

BROOKS KOEPKA: Maybe just touch control. That's just this golf course. You get out to Torrey, it could be slower, could be faster, could be anything. When I get out there, just make sure the speed work's done and not as off as it was this week.

Q. Let's look ahead to next week. How similar or different do you expect that course to play versus what you guys are used to seeing?

BROOKS KOEPKA: I don't know. I don't know what you get. I'll see what -- you know it's going to play tough. They're probably going to narrow the fairways quite a bit, so you've got to drive it in the fairway. That grass, man, you put it in the rough, you're going to struggle. You do that in January anyways, and you're already in a lot of trouble. Maybe a little bit firmer than what we'd see. It will be interesting to see how they have it set up.

Q. Do you feel like it may be closer to what it was at Pebble versus (inaudible)?

BROOKS KOEPKA: It all depends. I mean, they can do whatever they want with that golf course. They can saturate it, or they can have that thing rock hard. I won't know until I get there, but it will be interesting. I think it's going to play completely different than what we normally see.

Q. Brooks, you talked about your focus. Perhaps that was the same last month, miss the cut at AT&T, and wind up finishing second and really focused at the PGA. Is that part of your preparation?

BROOKS KOEPKA: I mean, I don't try to miss a cut. I don't know, I just have a harder time focusing in regular PGA TOUR events than I do majors. Majors, I know I'm locked in from the moment I hit the first tee shot. Even walking from the first tee shot to the ball, my head is still going on what I need to do. Out here I kind of lose focus for a little bit.

I've got to figure it out. That's why I struggle, I think, in regular events. It's the focus and the energy, the excitement level just isn't there when it would be in a major. It's different. I thrive off that bigger stage, that big moment where there's a bunch of fans and a tough golf course. I love it.

I mean, this golf course is tough enough. It's firm. It's blowing. You know, just needed to be better.

Q. How did the knee hold up versus what you might have expected?

BROOKS KOEPKA: It's good. It's in a really good spot. I like where it's at. I've done enough rehab, strength's coming around. I mean, I can almost squat down to read a putt like normal. Didn't do it too much this week just because I don't want to screw it up for next week.

Q. Brooks, first time we've seen you in tournament play since the PGA Championship. What would you say you got out of these two rounds at Congaree?

BROOKS KOEPKA: Just reps. I'm playing really good. I like the way I'm striking the ball. I like the way I'm putting the ball too. Just seemed to be a little bit of speed control. What I see the greens are speed-wise, it just doesn't match up. I'm playing really good. I like where I'm at. I'll take it to next week.

Q. Assuming you have the weekend off. We've seen you go through stretches like this where you played the week before a major, you miss a cut, and then you spend five, six days elevating your game to be ready to compete. What are you going to do over the next five, six days to be ready for Torrey?

BROOKS KOEPKA: My game's in good shape. I know my score doesn't reflect it. I like where it's at. I feel even better than where I was going into the PGA. I'm pretty pleased, pretty happy. Just get ready for next week.

Q. When you do what you normally do, is that more on the mental side or the physical side or a combination? Let us peek under the hood with you.

BROOKS KOEPKA: I don't know. I don't know how to really explain it. It's more of like I struggle with focus out here because my mind's already kind of going to next week and thinking about everything I need to do there. I mean, that's probably where I think some of the poor scoring comes from, just from lack of focus.

But as far as commitment to the shot, striking it well, doing what I want with the ball, flighting it, I'm pretty pleased. I'm excited for next week, and hopefully it goes well.