Brooks Koepka brushes off golf turmoil as US Open nears: 'I enjoy the chaos'

LOS ANGELES – It’s doubtful golf star Brooks Koepka will get distracted during the U.S. Open this week from the turmoil over the planned merger of the PGA Tour, Saudi-backed LIV Golf and DP World Tour.

“Like I've said, the more chaotic things get, the easier it gets for me,’’ Koepka, a five-time major winner, said Tuesday at the Los Angeles Country Club.  “Everything starts to slow down, and I am able to focus on whatever I need to focus on while everybody else is dealing with distractions, worried about other things. …

“I enjoy the chaos.’’

As far as thriving in chaos, Koepka, fresh off his victory in the 2023 PGA Championship, pointed to his 2018 U.S. Open victory at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, where Phil Mickelson was among several players who complained about the fast greens.

“Everybody was bitching, complaining,’’ Koepka said. “I just felt like it was – they were all so focused on the golf course they kind of forgot about what was going on, that they were there to play a major championship instead of, okay, the greens are pretty fast. But if you leave yourself with an uphill putt, it's not too bad.”

Bartender, is that news true?

When news of the unprecedented merger broke a week ago, world No. 2 ranked golfer Jon Rahm said he felt overwhelmed.

“I was at home taking care of the kids,’’ said Rahm, a two-time major winner from Spain. “I was just having my normal morning making coffee and breakfast, and basically texts just started flowing in. I thought my phone was going to catch on fire at one point.

“There were so many questions that I just couldn't answer. It's basically what it was. I think it was that day at one point I told (his wife) Kelley I'm just going to throw my phone in the drawer and not look at it for the next four hours because I can't deal with this anymore.’’

2023 US OPEN: Tee times, how to watch first and second rounds

By contrast, there was Koepka’s reaction to the news.

“I was sitting at Grove at the bar there having breakfast and I saw it on TV,’’ he said. “Watched a little bit of the interview, and that was it.  Just went out and practiced. …

“I haven't paid too much attention to it, honestly. I've been trying to prep for this week.  I'm just trying to make sure I come into a major championship – there's four weeks a year I really care about and this is one of them, and I want to play well.’’

Koepka is listed as one of the betting favorites to win the tournament. His +1200 odds to take home the U.S. Open crown trail only Rahm (+900) and Scottie Scheffler (+650), according to DraftKings Sportsbook.

Searching for answers

Collin Morikawa, a two-time major winner who remained loyal to the PGA Tour, appeared to be more interested in the situation than Koepka is.

“So we all want to know the why,’’ Morikawa said. “We're so interested in the why.’’

PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan reportedly said it was too expensive to continue the fight as the Tour racked up legal bills. But it’s unclear what other motives could have pushed Monahan to make a deal.

U.S. Senators also are seeking answers, with the Senate's Permanent Subcommittee having launched an investigation into the planned merger between former rivals.

Of the PGA Tour players, Rahm said, “I think the general feeling is that a lot of people feel a bit of betrayal from management.’’

But Koepka said most of the animosity between players – those who left the PGA Tour for LIV Golf and those who stayed, including Tiger Woods – has been constructed by the media.

That could be tested during the first round Thursday, when Koepka tees off with Rory McIlroy in a group that also includes 2021 Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama.

Last week McIlroy said he thinks the merger could be "good for the game.’’ But he also said, “I still hate LIV. Like, I hate LIV. I hope it goes away and I would fully expect that it does.”

And Koepka's thoughts on the matter?

What a perfect time for him to hit the golf range.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Brooks Koepka, Joh Rahm ready for US Open, discuss PGA Tour-LIV merger