Rory McIlroy on Brooks Koepka’s withdrawal: ‘We’ve all seen his physical struggles’
World number three Rory McIlroy has backed Brooks Koepka’s decision to withdraw from this week’s Northern Trust event, effectively ending his PGA Tour season.
Koepka has struggled with a left knee injury which saw him sidelined for three months last season and also needed on-course treatment to his hip during his title defence at the PGA Championship in San Francisco.
He will hope to regain full fitness in time for the US Open at Winged Foot from September 17-20, and McIlroy reckons Koepka’s decision to bring his season to an early end is probably the right one.
Brooks is one of the biggest names in the game,” McIlroy said.
“We’ve all seen his physical struggles since last year. He had the knee injury, then he slipped in Korea, and he’s sort of struggled with it ever since.
“It’s maybe never a good time, but it’s a better time than any other time to get it right. Take a few weeks off and try to get himself ready for the US Open (September 17-20), and then the Masters (November 12-15) coming up as well.
“It’s probably smart. He’s just played six or seven weeks in a row, which takes a toll on your body anyway, but if you’re struggling with an injury, even more so.
“I think it’s smart on his part to do that and hopefully he comes back healthy and comes back ready to play.”
Latest
-
Matt CooperPunter’s pointers: The Olympic Men’s Golf Competition
Who will emulate Justin Rose, Henrik Stenson and Matt Kuchar in standing on the podium to collect Olympic medals this week?
-
NewsNacho Elvira dedicates dramatic Cazoo Open victory to Celia Barquin Arozamena
The 2018 European Ladies’ Amateur champion was murdered later in the year on a course in Iowa.
-
NewsMinjee Lee overturns a seven-shot deficit to take Evian Championship victory
A win over South Korea’s Jeongeun Lee6 in a play-off saw the Australian secure her first major title.
-
NewsMinjee Lee overturns a seven-shot deficit to take Evian Championship victory
A win over South Korea’s Jeongeun Lee6 in a play-off saw the Australian secure her first major title.
-
NewsMorikawa Clinches Second Career Major
It is fair to say that the recent 2021 edition was absolutely no different and with a number of early contenders once again falling.
-
NewsMatt Wallace out to show Padraig Harrington his desire to make Ryder Cup team
Wallace was overlooked for a wild card in 2018 despite winning for the third time in 15 starts.
-
NewsCollin Morikawa to reassess his goals after winning The Open at first attempt
The 24-year-old American has already won two majors.
-
NewsThe Open day four: Halfway to a career grand slam two years after turning pro
Collin Morikawa has added the Open to the US PGA, both of them won on tournament debut.
-
NewsCollin Morikawa eager to savour taste of success after debut Open triumph
The American became only the second person after Tiger Woods to win the Open and US PGA before the age of 25.