Being a student at the University of Florida comes with its own benefits, one of which is being trained under 5-time major winner and FSU alum Brooks Koepka. Although rising amateur Luke Clanton might have played only a couple of rounds with the 35-year-old, Koepka has advertently helped the amateur improve his game.

Well, this is what Clanton has revealed at the John Deere Classic as he stands T4 after the second round concluded. The 20-year-old sat for the post-press conference and was asked if any professional golfer helped him learn how to play a professional event. Clanton replied affirmatively, saying, “Yeah, I mean, Brooks.”   

The now-LIV Golf pro advised the amateur golfer on how not to lose his game while chasing a low score, and Clanton was nothing but appreciative of Koepka. The FSU golfer said, “Brooks was a big one for me. I think he was — he helped me a lot with just staying calmer through rounds and understanding that take it one shot at a time.” Sounds simple? But in reality, it isn’t.

Clanton explained that chasing a birdie fest each round can mess up with a golfer’s head. So, instead, he now focuses on taking one small step at a time and accepts that he will hit a bad shot from time to time, as golf cannot always be perfect. All of this is because of Koepka and his valuable advice. But the LIV pro wasn’t the only top golfer who helped Clanton play better. The world no. 1 has also supported the amateur and it was surely a surreal experience for him.

Luke Clanton recounts playing with the ‘best’ Scottie Scheffler

Over the summer, when Brooks Koepka took a bit of Luke Clanton’s schedule, a lucky encounter arose for the amateur. Through a mutual connection, he landed a practice round with Scottie Scheffler, and needless to say, it was an amazing experience for Clanton. When he was asked how it turned out, the 20-year-old admiringly said, “Unreal. Yeah, Scottie is Scottie. Best player in the world. I think by a mile right now.”

While Koepka helped Clanton to manage his round better, Scheffler gave some precious advice regarding life. What did the two talk about? The 20-year-old relayed that they discussed their mutual faith in Christ and how Scheffler said, “Golf is just a game.” The amateur golfer added that the 27-year-old said, “It doesn’t identify who I am. When he said that to me it kind of clicked because it’s understanding that this game of golf doesn’t identify who I am off the golf course, on the golf course.”

Setting things into perspective helped Clanton realize that it was better to enjoy golf. Perhaps that’s what he has been doing since, despite his close call at winning the Low Amateur Honor, where Neal Shipley finally sealed the deal, Clanton remained positive and was rather motivated to focus on winning his first PGA Tour title. This determination was evident at the Rocket Mortgage, where he posted a T10 finish, showcasing his upward trajectory in golf. Could his maiden victory on the American circuit be just around the corner? It remains to be seen.