Brooks Koepka has not been having the best season this year so far. He has landed himself in the top 10 only in four events out of the eleven that he has appeared in so far. This includes a win at LIV Golf Singapore in May. Currently at the Greenbrier, after a grueling opening round, Koepka is in the Top 5 with a 6-under.

He is just one stroke behind the three leaders. However, it hasn’t fully reversed the difficulties he’s faced throughout the season. At the post-round presser on Friday in West Virginia, Koepka was asked about how his current season compares to his performance last year.

A disappointed and dejected Koepka replied, “This year has not been great. This year has been very disappointing. I haven’t played anywhere what I want to play.” Brooks Koepka, who had won a major last year, failed to fair well at any of the four this year. To begin with, he finished the Masters with a T45, along with four other players, and a disappointing 9-over.

Entering the Valhalla as the defending champion, Koepka bagged a T-26 at the PGA Championship. This was followed by another T26 at the US Open and a T43 at the Open Championship. Taking to this, he said, “Played absolutely horrible in all the majors and only won once out here, so that’s not anywhere where I want it.” LIV Golf has only three more events before the 2024 season comes to an end. And currently, Brooks Koepka is in the 10th position, with an average of 86.73 points.

If he pulls up his socks before the season ends, he still has a chance of landing in the top 3 of the individual rankings. When asked about his plans for a change in gameplay, Koepka said, “I’m not trying to achieve anything. Just go out every day, just keep working. I put in the hours I feel like and do all the right things. Sometimes it pans out, sometimes it doesn’t.” However, one thing is clear: he surely is not happy with the gameplay that he has been putting out in the field, as he concluded, “I haven’t made the putts this year. I feel like I’ve hit good putts, just haven’t made them. So that’s been usually the difference.”

Brooks Koepka finished the 2023 season in the 3rd position. Winning the Greenbrier is exceptionally important for him, as this will give a pump to his position in the individual title list. The LIV Golf Individual Championship is coming up next, in four weeks, and the win will give him a boost before it. Additionally, he has only won one event so far, which makes the win this weekend all the more important. Adding to his tumultuous season,  his team also faced a setback last week, making a strong delivery on the course by Koepka even more necessary.

Graeme McDowell was suspended for failing the anti-doping policy

As the breakaway league fought legal battles in 2022, it introduced new rules for the players. The anti-doping program was brought into force so that they could promote the health of the golfers, and ensure a level playing field. The violation of the policy as stated would result in a disqualification of the previous result, bans, fines, and publication of the offense. McDowell was found guilty of violating the policy and has been suspended for the Greenbrier event, with a fine of $125,000.

He has been charged with consuming a decongestant medication called R-methamphetamine, at the LIV Golf Invitational. This led to a disqualification in both his individual and Smash GC’s results. Winning the Greenbrier will also add up to the team’s point. However, he has also added that he believes he does not deserve to be on the top 3. “Like I said, I don’t think I deserve it. I haven’t played very well all year”, said Koepka at the presser. Do you think he will be able to win this weekend? Let us know in the comments section below!