Brooks Koepka on LA Country Club: ‘I’m not a huge fan of this place’
Brooks Koepka made no excuses for falling further off the pace in the second round of the US Open, but he identified some sticking points at Los Angeles Country Club which he hasn’t taken to
It would’ve been a tall order for Brooks Koepka to sit atop yet another major leaderboard in 2023 – even for a five-time champion in such formidable form.
Koepka entered the week at the US Open as one of the favourites after winning the PGA Championship and almost winning the Masters, but he hasn’t quite reproduced his heroics at LACC.
On level par, he is 10 shots behind Rickie Fowler at the halfway stage. He came back from five shots behind at this point to win the event in 2018, so the 33-year-old may need powers even beyond his reach to topple his fellow American.
After carding a 69 on Friday, Koepka gave his thoughts on LA Country Club:
“I’m not a huge fan of this place – I’m not a huge fan of blind tee shots, and then I think there are just some spots that no matter what you hit, the ball just ends up in the same spot.
“I think it would be more fun to play on just like a regular round than it would be a US Open. I mean, there’s, what, two 8s yesterday? That doesn’t happen.
“I thought every pin position was fine,” he added. “I didn’t think anything was really tricked up. I guess I just didn’t play that great so not going to really shoot a good number.
“I won majors on golf courses that I haven’t really liked too much. But this one, I don’t know – it’s not my favourite.”
Interestingly, Koepka believes he has played better so far this week in California than he did at Oak Hill Country Club in May, when overcoming Viktor Hovland to secure his third Wanamaker trophy.
As Los Angeles Country Club is hosting its first major championship this week, and given the exclusive nature of the membership, it was difficult to predict what to expect from the venue.
The course has made headlines for featuring two par 3s that play almost 300 yards, and another one that could play as short as 78 yards.
A large barranca runs through the North Course which forces the players to use strategy and accuracy to their advantage – something Dustin Johnson fell victim to in the second round.
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Matt Chivers
Now on the wrong side of 25, Matt has been playing golf since the age of 13 and was largely inspired to take up the game by countless family members who played golf during his childhood.
Matt is a member at Royal Cinque Ports in Deal playing off a 5 handicap, just a pitching wedge away from his hometown of Dover where he went to school and grew up. He has previously been a member at Etchinghill and Walmer and Kingsdown in Kent.
Having studied history at the University of Liverpool, Matt went on to pass his NCTJ Exams in Manchester a year later to fulfil his lifelong ambition of becoming a journalist. He picked up work experience along the way at places such as the Racing Post, the Independent, Sportsbeat and the Lancashire Evening Post.
Matt joined NCG in February 2023 and is the website’s main source of tour news, features and opinion. He has reported live from events such as The Open, the Ryder Cup and The Players Championship, having also interviewed and spent time with some of the biggest names in the sport.
Consuming tour golf on what is a 24/7 basis, you can come to Matt for informed views on the game and the latest updates on the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LPGA Tour, Ladies European Tour and LIV Golf.
What’s in Matt’s bag: Cobra LTDx LS driver, Cobra LTDx 3-wood, TaylorMade P7MC irons, Ping Glide 4.0 wedges, Odyssey putter.
