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Koepka is still ranked No. 9 in the world. He won the Waste
Management Phoenix Open earlier this year to go along with
runner-up finishes at the PGA Championship and the WGC event at
The Concession before being part of the winning United States
team at the Ryder Cup.
But the most recent of Koepka's four major titles came in 2019,
before a string of injuries -- including knee, hip and wrist
ailments -- led to highly inconsistent results. Koepka didn't
defend his U.S. Open title last year and has 11 missed cuts and
a pair of withdrawals to go with a few rehab stints in the past
24 months.
In all, he has started only 34 events since missing the cut at
the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open in 2019 at TPC
Summerlin, where Koepka will begin his 2021-22 season this week.
"I've fallen off, to be completely honest," Koepka said
Wednesday. "I've fallen off of going to world No. 1, injuries,
all this stuff, and I haven't been where I expect myself to be."
It was part of an answer to Koepka's use of new technology such
as AimPoint for reading greens. At 31, he's not looking to
overhaul his game and Koepka said he's "probably on the less
information side of guys" on the PGA Tour, but he is willing to
experiment with new technology as he seeks to regain his elite
form.
"It was a, kind of kicking myself and trying to figure out how
to get better and that was just one of the ways," Koepka said of
AimPoint. "So I like where this information is coming, because
it's definitely helping and I think having maybe an open mind to
certain things is key out here."
Koepka said before the Ryder Cup that he still thinks he can
pass Tiger Woods' mark of 15 majors. Despite two frustrating
years dealing with injuries, Koepka is confident he has plenty
of outstanding golf left in him.
"Traditionally, 30 or 35 (years old) is when guys have their
prime out here and I'm just kind of starting that prime at 31,"
he said. "So hopefully that holds up true. But you got to find a
way."
He's hoping the upward trajectory begins with a two-week swing
through Las Vegas that includes The CJ Cup @ Summit. And of
course there's the much-hyped 12-hole exhibition against
DeChambeau that will take place at The Wynn off the Las Vegas
strip the day after Thanksgiving.
Koepka took to Twitter on Tuesday to write: "So does this mean
we're having "Friendsgiving."
But he was far more low-key about the event Wednesday, telling
the media they'd have to ask DeChambeau when and how it came
together.
"I mean, I think we're excited," Koepka said. "So it's going to
be good."
--Field Level Media
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