Brooks Koepka feels right at home at FedEx St. Jude in Memphis

World No 1 Brooks Koepka is excited to return to the venue that kickstarted his rise on the PGA Tour five years ago.
Long before his four majors wins, a 24-year-old Koepka secured an important top-20 finish in the 2014 FedEx St. Jude Classic.
At the time, he had only one career top-10 finish on the PGA Tour to his name, but the performance in Memphis was followed by a tied-fourth in the US Open just a week later, allowing him to secure his PGA Tour card for the 2014-15 season.
“I love this place,” Koepka said ahead of the WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational. “This place has always been good to me.
“I feel like I play it really well. I enjoy the golf course, I enjoy Memphis. It’s a fun place to come back year after year, so I’ve enjoyed it.
“The golf course is in probably the best shape I’ve seen it the last four years,” he added.
Unlike that appearance in 2014, Koepka is now one of the most high-profile golfers on the planet, and will be one of the most followed players when he tees off alongside Rory McIlroy and Jason Day on Thursday.
67
70
72
67
64
67
71
70
70
65
69
66
69
66
71
73
66
69
69
73There is something about Memphis.@BKoepka has posted a T3 & T2 in 5 appearances at TPC Southwind.#LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/GxFFiGbFeK
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 24, 2019
And while he noticed during a practice round on Wednesday that the course felt a bit softer than in previous years, he had no complaints.
“I mean, this golf course is just as good, I think,” he said. “I’ve enjoyed it. I think you see a lot of guys have played (in Memphis) over the last five years.”
While some players aren’t too happy that the WGC event follows just one week after The Open, making for a pretty brutal week of travel, Koepka wasn’t concerned.
“I mean, obviously there’s always a few guys who take off every WGC, so you’re going to have that no matter what,” he added. “But I think it’s in a great spot. It’s in a great spot in the schedule, especially right after kind of major season to have something come up.”
Latest
-
News
Tyrrell Hatton dominant as Rory McIlroy falters in Abu Dhabi
Hatton led by five shots at the end of a second weather-affected day.
-
News
Phil Mickelson on Tiger’s latest surgery: ‘I feel bad because golf should be a game of a lifetime’
Mickelson admitted he was saddened by the news of Woods’ latest back surgery.
-
News
Rory McIlroy makes brilliant start to fog-affected Abu Dhabi Championship
McIlroy has a remarkable record in Abu Dhabi with four second-place finishes.
-
News
Rory McIlroy shines in Abu Dhabi to take first-round lead following flawless 64
McIlroy has a remarkable record in Abu Dhabi with four second-place finishes, three thirds and a fifth in his last nine starts, but has never won.
-
News
Justin Thomas on end of Ralph Lauren deal: ‘They moved on so that’s what I’m doing as well’
Justin Thomas said he was upset by...
-
News
My last win feels a long time ago – Rory McIlroy aiming to start year on a high
McIlroy has not tasted victory since November 2019.
-
News
Rory McIlroy insists Justin Thomas will ‘try to be better’ after homophobic slur
World number three Thomas was heard using a derogatory word towards himself after missing a par putt in Hawaii.
-
News
Rory McIlroy sad to miss Conor McGregor fight
Rory McIlroy has been to UFC star Conor Mcgregor’s last three fights but will miss Saturday’s clash due to European Tour commitments.
-
News
Rory McIlroy backs Tiger Woods to make quick recovery from latest back surgery
McIlroy expects the American to be fit for the Masters in April.
-
News
Tiger Woods focusing on return to PGA Tour after undergoing fifth back operation
The 45-year-old will miss the Farmers Insurance Open and the Genesis Invitational.