Brooks Koepka Returns to Hometown Tournament
Brooks Koepka, a local favorite and native of Palm Beach County, is stepping back onto familiar turf this week as he competes in the Cognizant Classic at PGA National, marking his return after a hiatus since 2022. Though the nostalgia of playing in his hometown tournament brings its own form of comfort, the pro golfer is finding that not all aspects of being at home are easy, particularly due to the antics of his young son.
Family Life and Playful Mishaps
As Koepka told reporters, the Koepka household has been lively, with his nearly three-year-old son, Crew, becoming enthralled with hockey during the Milan Cortina Olympics. This excitement has led to some playful mishaps, including Koepka experiencing an unexpected face encounter with a hockey stick.
“It took a stick to the face the other day at the house, so that was interesting. It’s been a while since that happened,”
he recounted. Thankfully, he avoided any serious injury, unlike hockey player Jack Hughes, who lost some teeth during a game but later scored the Olympic gold-winning goal.
Preparing for the Tournament
Koepka is set on making a significant impact in this tournament, as he prepares for forthcoming challenges, including the prestigious Augusta Masters.
“I just want to put myself in contention here a few times before Augusta and see where everything lies,”
he remarked, emphasizing the importance of this week’s performance as he continues his adjustment back to the PGA Tour after a four-year stint with LIV Golf funded by Saudi investment.
Reconnecting with Hometown Support
Having once carried scoreboards as a child at this very tournament, Koepka is eager to reconnect with family and friends, many of whom live within a short drive.
“This is a true hometown event… it’s nice to be able to be this close to home and have everybody come out,”
he shared, highlighting the supportive atmosphere of the event.
Changes in Competitive Environment
However, Koepka will be stepping into a different competitive environment than he faced previously at PGA National, which was formerly known as The Honda Classic. The course’s par has transitioned from 70 to 71, with recent winning scores climbing significantly compared to his last three tournament appearances. While Koepka’s past victories saw scores like 6 or 10 under, the last few champions have reached far lower, recording finishes of -14, -17, and -19, with standout moments like golfer Jake Knapp’s opening round of 59 last year, which raised eyebrows.
Field Dynamics and Future Outlook
Shane Lowry, who now calls the Palm Beach area home, expressed concern regarding the ease of last year’s play, stating,
“I don’t want to exactly see 59s around here,”
hoping for a return to tougher conditions.
The field this week does not feature any players ranked in the world’s top 25, a pattern that has beleaguered the Cognizant Classic over the years due to its scheduling, which sets it just before major Florida events like Bay Hill and The Players Championship. Koepka’s absence from the tournament during his LIV Golf tenure has made his return feel even more special.
“It’s a nice event. It’s definitely weird staying at home… But it’s enjoyable. It’s nice to come back and just feel your own comforts when you get home,”
he concluded, looking ahead to what he hopes will be a solid showing in his backyard.
