Koepka eyes 3M name, then maiden begin in Northern Ireland

Brooks Koepka has played all over the international on circuits ranging from the PGA Tour to the Challenge Tour. He’s won occasions in Turkey, Italy, Spain, and South Korea. However, he’s never performed in Northern Ireland – or anywhere in Ireland – in which this month’s Open Championship could be contested.

He’s in all likelihood not by myself in that, though, as The Open hasn’t been played in Northern Ireland due to the fact 1951. But don’t color Koepka worried, because Royal Portrush changed into his caddie Ricky Elliot’s domestic path developing up, giving him the exceptional asset he should ask for pulling his golf equipment.

“I hope he is aware of that golfing course like the again of his hand,” Koepka stated beforehand of this week’s 3M Open in Minnesota. “He knows that golfing course probably better than anyone aside from [Graeme McDowell], will be the most effective one.”

This might be Koepka’s final tuneup earlier than the season’s very last fundamental. He traditionally likes to play the week before the U.S. Open and PGA Championships, the two majors he is mixed to win four instances. He on occasion performs the week before the Masters but has in no way played the week before an Open Championship. The purpose? Acclimation.

“I realize a group of men like to play the week earlier than,” he stated. “I just need to get adjusted over there a bit early, so it makes it a bit simpler.”

So, he’ll tee it up this week at TPC Twin Cities for the 3M Open as his final aggressive run-through before the peg hits the ground when it counts in Ireland.

Koepka is seeking out his first Open win, having already received U.S. Opens and two PGA Championships – including the Wanamaker Trophy this 12 months – at merely 29 years old.

We’ve all heard the flack Koepka has received for now not bringing the same mentality, intensity, and golf recreation to everyday Tour occasions as he brings to majors. During his maximum current start at the Travelers Championship, Koepka said he become “useless,” and “fried” from the exhaustion of routinely being in the foremost rivalry. So, what form of mentality is Koepka bringing to Blaine, Minn.?

“This week it will likely be simply seeking to win a golfing event, that’s the simplest factor I’m here to do,” Koepka said. “I need to get reps in this week, and sense assured getting into[to The Open].”

While Northern Ireland can be a new experience for Koepka, playing in Minnesota isn’t always. He competed inside the 2016 Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National, just 42 miles northwest of this week’s stop, which is ready to be a hard take a look at for pros at nearly 7,500 yards and a par 71. But that’s how Koepka likes it.

“[Tournament director Hollis Cavner] informed me it turned into a large hitter’s golfing route and that’s what I like,” Koepka stated. “It’s a longer golfing path, I can hit driver and take benefit of it and form of cut a few corners, and I think so that it will be a big advantage this week.”

His 12 months Open Championship guarantees to be a unique one, what with all of the amazing storylines that are ready to play out. It begins with the venue, Royal Portrush, on the way to be one of the most prominent sights of the opposition. This is simply the second time the Northern Ireland golf club has hosted the occasion, the alternative coming in 1951. It’s also merely the second one time the Open could be held on Irish soil.

Below you will find a number of the often requested questions about the Open Championship.