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SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Brooks Koepka is back where it all started.
And where, a year ago, it continued.
The four-time major champion has equaled that number of victories in non-majors, giving him eight PGA Tour victories. The WM Phoenix Open is the only venue where he’s won more than once. And it accounts for half of his non-major titles.
“Good memories,” Koepka said Wednesday. “I guess the feels I get on this golf course. … I feel comfortable on it. So hoping for a good week.”
Koepka, whose week starts with a 9:48 a.m. ET tee time Thursday, appears in a good spot in his career despite coming off back-to-back subpar seasons. Subpar, that is, for Koepka. The former No. 1 in the world has dropped to No. 20, his lowest ranking in nearly four years, but a spot hundreds of others would celebrate.
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He’s as healthy as he’s been in years and says he’s striking the ball well, despite missing the cut in his most recent event, the Farmers Insurance Open.
“I feel like I have been playing pretty good recently,” he said. “Just a few kinks we worked out. Doing everything I need to do.”
Koepka likes TPC Scottsdale
And if there is a spot in the world where Koepka can get back on top, it’s the Stadium Course at TPC Scottsdale where he’s left as the champion in half of his four starts with a combined score of 34 under.
The event is known as “The Greatest Show on Grass,” where the winning score has averaged nearly 18 under the last five years. Phil Mickelson tied the tournament record at 28 under in 2013.
“It’s a bomber’s paradise,” Koepka said. “If you can put the ball in play, you can make some good scores.”
And if you don’t, you will hear about it, which is part of the charm for the tournament that hosts the rowdiest hole on the Tour, the par-3, 163-yard, No. 16. Nothing is off limits after the gallery has had time to sample the liquid refreshments.
“The atmosphere is unbelievable,” Koepka…
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Source : yahoo
