(Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, golf journalist) ○… “A bitter exit.”
“Major chaser” Brooks Koepka (USA, photo) withdrew a day before the first round of the PGA Tour Playoffs (PO), The Northern Trust (total prize money $9.5 million), which opens on the 20th (Korean time) at Boston TPC in Norton, Massachusetts (par 71, 7,342 yards). Currently ranked 97th in the PO rankings, his participation in the second round of the BMW Championship (total prize money of $9.5 million), which only allows 70 players, was naturally also canceled. This means he effectively ended his 2019/2020 season early.
He was last year’s “3-win champion.” Koepka, in particular, has shown exceptional strength in major matches by winning 4 of his 7 total victories in major tournaments. He won first place at the 2017 US Open, the “back-to-back” 2018 US Open, the PGA Championship and again at the PGA Championship last year. It is unfortunate that a knee injury hampered his performance. After knee surgery in October last year, he even underwent stem cell treatment, but it looks like he will need even more time. He promised to “focus on rehabilitation” and look forward to the next season.
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