Why does no-one want Brooks Koepka’s major secrets?
The PGA champion revealed he’s not been approached about his major secrets, while tackling last year’s caddie rules controversy
Talk about a man with a Midas touch when it comes to the majors. Yet no one seems to want to know Brooks Koepka’s secrets!
After five major titles in six years, and a reputation for raising his game to skyscraper levels for a big four week, you’d think his phone would never stop beeping.
But the PGA Champ, who has twice finished runner-up at the Masters, perhaps surprisingly revealed he’s never really been quizzed by peers about the reasons of his success – and he’d be happy to oblige. For some.
“Nobody ever really talks to me about it,” he said. “Maybe they do and I’m just not paying attention, because I’m out here doing, kind of in my own world when I’m out here playing, but as far as I know not may guys have.
“I don’t think anybody’s asked, but…”
Asked whether he’d scare that info on request, Koepka said: “Yeah, to certain people I would.”
Brooks Koepka: ‘Everybody’s exchanging information all day long’
Last year, the LIV Golf star, or more specifically, his caddie Rickie Elliott, found himself under fire after a rules drama on the 15th hole of the first round.
A widely shared clip seemed to show the looper saying “five” towards Gary Woodland’s caddie Brendan Little.
Some on social media suggested Elliott was revealing what club his man had used, before Woodland had played, which could constitute a breach of Rule 10.2 (a). That comes with a two-shot penalty.
But the Masters tournament committee quickly squashed any speculation. “Following the completion of Brooks Koepka’s round, the Committee questioned his caddie and others in the group about a possible incident on No. 15.
“All involved were adamant that no advice was given or requested. Consequently, the Committee determined that there was no breach of the Rules.”
At his pre-tournament press conference on Masters Tuesday, Koepka was asked whether the exchange of information should be allowed or not.
He said: “I mean, everybody’s exchanging information all day long. Looking in guys’ bags, caddies are signalling all day long,” he said.
“But who knew, I think I just foreshadowing what was going to happen.”
Now have your say
What is Brooks Koepka’s major secret and what did you make of last year’s rules controversy? Let me know with a comment on X.
Steve Carroll
A journalist for 25 years, Steve has been immersed in club golf for almost as long. A former club captain, he has passed the Level 3 Rules of Golf exam with distinction having attended the R&A's prestigious Tournament Administrators and Referees Seminar.
Steve has officiated at a host of high-profile tournaments, including Open Regional Qualifying, PGA Fourball Championship, English Men's Senior Amateur, and the North of England Amateur Championship. In 2023, he made his international debut as part of the team that refereed England vs Switzerland U16 girls.
A part of NCG's Top 100s panel, Steve has a particular love of links golf and is frantically trying to restore his single-figure handicap. He currently floats at around 11.
Steve plays at Close House, in Newcastle, and York GC, where he is a member of the club's matches and competitions committee and referees the annual 36-hole scratch York Rose Bowl.
Having studied history at Newcastle University, he became a journalist having passed his NTCJ exams at Darlington College of Technology.
What's in Steve's bag: TaylorMade Stealth 2 driver, 3-wood, and hybrids; TaylorMade Stealth 2 irons; TaylorMade Hi-Toe, Ping ChipR, Sik Putter.
