Brooks Koepka made it clear this Wednesday in the lead-up to the Cognizant Classic that his roadmap towards the Masters Tournament is underway. He didn’t talk about specific results or grandiose goals, but he did outline his idea quite clearly: to arrive with good feelings, accumulated work, and, above all, having seen himself fighting for victories before Augusta. Yes, victories, in plural. He has six tournaments from now until the Masters, so he must hurry to stick to the plan.
“I feel very good,” the American assured in his pre-tournament appearance in Florida. At home. “The first week was just about getting out there and playing. Phoenix exposed some things I needed to work on. I went back to it… rested on Sunday and since Monday I’ve been working hard.”
Koepka explained that he is satisfied with the evolution of his game and sent a message that suggests a competitive Brooks in the big events: “It’s progressing very, very well and I just want to get into contention here a few times before Augusta and see where everything is.”
That is, in essence, his plan for the Masters: compete beforehand, fine-tune, check in real tournaments where his level is, and arrive in April with everything in order.
Adjustments with the putter, his weakest point
One of the keys to this fine-tuning is on the greens. Koepka acknowledged significant changes with the putter, an area that needed adjustments. In Phoenix, he was seen with a Spider, and this Wednesday he explained what has changed from the blade to the mallet and why.
“I made some changes. Everything is starting to improve, which is what should happen. I have a game plan set for the future, and I’m making small adjustments here and there,” he explained.
The American detailed that before competing, he had already worked a lot with the new club: “I probably hit 300 putts with it before playing.” And he added that these last two weeks have helped him to organise his feelings: “Having two weeks to work and make some adjustments, it should be much better.”
He also delved into the big technical and sensory change: moving from a blade to a mallet. “I didn’t know exactly where I was hitting it, and when you change putters, speed becomes another factor. I felt that the speed was a bit off. Now I understand exactly where to hit it and where it’s going. I feel that my speed control has improved.”
“I don’t know what I want my legacy to be”
Koepka also gave an interesting response when asked about his medium-term goals and the legacy he would like to leave. Far from a pre-packaged phrase, he was direct.
“I don’t know. It’s a very deep question,” he said. “I don’t know what I want my legacy to be. I don’t think about that.”
His approach is much more down-to-earth and recognisable: work, commitment, and not regretting when his career ends. “I just try to be the best person, the best golfer I can be… I don’t want to look back at the end of my career and say I could have put in more effort.”
His more sensitive side: father, son… and golf
One of the most human moments of the press conference came when he spoke about his son. Koepka, usually more reserved in appearances, showed an especially close version when explaining how he is experiencing this stage.
“It has changed me as a person. It certainly has,” he said when asked about fatherhood. “I’ve always wanted to be a father, and being with him every day is special. I wake up every day with a smile.”
He even recounted a scene that marked him as a father and golfer: his son has already started wanting to hit balls, and Koepka has bought him a small real set, leaving behind the plastic toys. “He hit it and it went quite a bit further, and his reaction was very cool. It was amazing to see as a father.”
His desire, moreover, has a very simple and recognisable point: “I want him to play golf and enjoy it so we can do it as a family.”
PGA National, kinder… and with lower rounds
Koepka also analysed the course of the Cognizant Classic and left a clear idea: PGA National is more playable than in previous years. In his opinion, the changes introduced have softened several key areas.
“It’s probably in the best condition I’ve seen it,” he noted. And he explained that the reseeding has significantly changed the behaviour of the course, especially around the greens and in the rough.
According to Koepka, one of the big changes is in the consistency of the rough: it used to be a lottery to gauge whether the ball would come out “flying” or dead; now “it’s a bit more consistent” and can be judged better.
He also believes that this will have a direct reflection on the leaderboard: “I definitely think the scores are going to be lower simply because of the reseeding.” Still, he didn’t say it in a critical tone, far from it. On the contrary. He considers the changes positive and that the course is in great condition.
And, above all, he made it clear what it would mean to win here: “It would be pretty cool to win here simply because it’s a home tournament.” With family and friends so close, and with his game taking shape ahead of the Masters, Koepka arrives this week with more than just good feelings: he arrives with a plan.
