Brooks Koepka Still Ashamed of Mistake That Took Tiger Woods By Surprise 9 Years Ago: ‘Was Pretty Bad’

Tiger Woods has seen it all in golf. Yet his response to Brooks Koepka‘s shot at the 2016 Ryder Cup was brutally honest. Assistant captain Bubba Watson heard Tiger’s radio comment right after the shank. “Don’t worry about it, only like 10 million people just saw that,” Woods quipped. His words perfectly captured the high-pressure situation facing Koepka at Hazeltine National Golf Club.

Ryder Cup pressure crushes even the steadiest professionals. This environment can turn elite ball-strikers into weekend hackers within seconds. Just ask Koepka, whose Ryder Cup debut turned into a moment of pure embarrassment. It happened during a crucial foursomes match with partner Brandt Snedeker against Europe’s Henrik Stenson and Matthew Fitzpatrick.

Brooks Koepka’s embarrassing shank shocked everyone

The situation started innocently enough with Snedeker hitting a solid drive. Koepka faced a manageable shot from the semi-rough. On the recent Smash GC podcast “Smash Talks,” Ricky Elliott, Koepka’s longtime caddie, recalled the moment. “It wasn’t lying that bad,” he explained. “You were going for the green anyway!”

What happened next still haunts Koepka. He shanked the ball 45 degrees right. The ball flew wildly off-target, nearly missing spectators. “He’s shanked it like 45 degrees right,” Elliott described with brutal honesty. The wayward shot nearly struck Elliott himself, who stood nearby with the bag.

Team USA captain Davis Love III watched in shock from nearby. Koepka’s face turned instantly pale. The shot was so unexpected that even the opposing team looked sympathetic. “It went well into the people,” Koepka admitted on the podcast, still wincing at the memory.

Reflecting on the shot years later, Koepka didn’t mince words about its quality. “That was pretty bad,” he confessed on the podcast, ranking it among his worst professional shots ever. The shank shocked everyone because it seemed so out of character. “I never shanked one really,” Koepka added. “That was the first one.”

Despite this humiliating moment, Koepka showed remarkable resilience. He and Snedeker ultimately tied their match, showing his mental fortitude. That recovery defined Koepka’s entire Ryder Cup debut. He bounced back magnificently throughout the weekend. In Sunday singles, he demolished Masters champion Danny Willett 5&4. His crushing victory helped secure Team USA’s eventual 17-11 triumph at Hazeltine.

Golf analyst Brandel Chamblee later commented on Koepka’s performance. “His ability to shake off that embarrassing shot shows the mental toughness that would later win him multiple majors,” Chamblee noted. Fellow pro Rickie Fowler agreed, calling it “the moment that defined his competitive mindset.”

Woods’ radio comment amplified the moment’s significance. Yet his message also contained subtle encouragement. Team USA’s veterans rallied around the rookie immediately. They understood the crushing pressure of Ryder Cup competition all too well.

That Ryder Cup shank tested their partnership early, but would prove to be just one hurdle in their remarkable journey together.

Brooks Koepka and Elliott’s 11-year partnership withstood every challenge

The Koepka-Elliott partnership began at the 2013 PGA Championship at Oak Hill. Koepka needed a caddie when his regular bag-carrier became unavailable. His swing coach, Claude Harmon III, recommended Elliott. They clicked immediately during practice rounds.

Their collaboration has produced remarkable results over their decade-plus together. Elliott has been alongside Koepka for all nine professional wins. This includes an impressive five major championships – the 2017 and 2018 U.S. Opens and the 2018, 2019, and 2023 PGA Championships.

The duo’s contrasting personalities create a perfect balance on the course. Koepka brings intensity and laser focus. Elliott provides a lighthearted, calming presence. This complementary dynamic helps manage the extreme pressure of championship golf.

Their relationship extends well beyond professional boundaries. Elliott served as a groomsman at Koepka’s wedding. They vacation together frequently between tournaments. Their travels have taken them to Croatia, Thailand, Bali, and Vietnam.

Elliott’s adaptability remains key to their enduring success. He knows exactly when Koepka needs technical advice versus emotional support. His ability to read Koepka’s moods simply by observing his walk has proven invaluable during crucial moments.

The Northern Irishman brings a valuable perspective to their partnership. Before caddying, Elliott had his own promising golf career. He won the Ulster Boys Championship and represented Ireland at the 1990 European Youth Championship. This playing experience informs his approach to course strategy.

From that embarrassing Ryder Cup shank to multiple major championship victories, their partnership has evolved tremendously. Yet the fundamentals remain the same. Trust, honesty, and genuine friendship have formed their foundation.

What makes a great player-caddie duo? Is it technical expertise, emotional support, or friendship? Perhaps all three combined create the magic that propels champions to victory.