Koepka 'not too concerned' with three-week layoff

HAMILTON, Ontario – When Rory McIlroy was leaving his press conference Wednesday at the RBC Canadian Open, his parting words were: “Speaking of separating himself from the field, here’s Brooks Koepka!”

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Koepka, who won the PGA Championship two weeks ago – leading by eight shots at one point – gave McIlroy a hug and then began his own press conference.

He said before yesterday, he hadn’t touched a club since Sunday at Bethpage Black. But now, he’s rested, ready and looking forward to a good week before he goes for his third straight U.S. Open.

“It was nice to kind of recharge mentally and kind of try to soak it in a little bit. I mean, I'll be fine,” said Koepka. “I've taken longer breaks before and come out and played well. I'm not too concerned with it.

“From the nine holes I did play today, things seemed pretty good.”

Koepka is second in the FedExCup standings with two victories on the season (THE CJ CUP @ NINE BRIDGES is the other). He missed the cut at last year’s Canadian Open, but he said playing in front of a Canadian crowd is a special opportunity.

“I think the fans are always so supportive. You know, it's a great sporting town,” said Koepka. “They are going to be loud. They are going to show up and that's what you want. You want these fans in golf, and to be out here at this tournament.”

Koepka said Hamilton Golf and Country Club, which is hosting the RBC Canadian Open for the first time since 2012, is going to be a good test for the players this week. The rough is up, and with the greens being quite ‘slopey’, he says, hitting fairways will be paramount.

“I think it’s actually a perfect setup for next week,” said Koepka, alluding to Pebble Beach Golf Links and the U.S. Open, where he’ll be the two-time defending champion.

Inevitability, the conversation shifted from the Canadian Open to next week, as Koepka looks to become the first person to win three straight U.S. Opens since Willie Anderson in the early 1900s.

He says there is no pressure, however. He said he enjoys a tough test of golf and described the major championship experience as fun – which is easy to say when you’ve won four of your last eight.

As far as his plans for this week, Koepka said he is focused less on the result and more on the process as he looks to the U.S. Open.

As long as he leaves feeling confident, striking the ball well – starting and finishing it where he wants – and rolling good putts, he said he’d feel good about his performance in Canada.

“It doesn't really matter about the result. I could care less what happens,” he said. “I just want to feel good going into next week.”