Masters leader Brooks Koepka reveals he tried to smash his own car window after a horror round in Augusta last year: “It didn’t break… apparently I’m not strong enough!”
Brooks Koepka has revealed that he tried to smash his own car window with his fist after a particularly bad round at last year’s Masters tournament.
The American, who joined LIV Golf last year and is currently three shots ahead at Augusta, didn’t fare as well in 2022 and was furious with his performance.
The 32-year-old Koepka shot three-over-par on both Thursday and Friday and missed the cut by two shots – a stark departure from this year’s stunning performance among the pines in Augusta.
“Last year I don’t even know if I should say this, but I’m pretty sure I tried to smash the back window of the car with my fist,” he told reporters Friday afternoon.
“I tried to stick it through the back window, not once but twice. It didn’t work the first time, so I thought I’d try again. The window is not broken. Apparently (I am) not strong enough. The ride home was pretty quiet. But yes, I think Mercedes is a pretty good rear window.”
Brooks Koepka receives the applause from the fans on the 18th green at Augusta National on Friday
Twelve months ago, Friday afternoon wasn’t quite the same when he missed the cut
Koepka was dogged by a knee injury throughout last year’s tournament, after he slipped at his home shortly after his win at the 2021 WM Phoenix Open, shattering his kneecap in the process.
“In 2021 I was just trying to find the best areas to hike because this place is quite hilly,” he explained. “Downhill was a killer because my knee would get in front of my heel and that’s where the MPFL (medial patellofemoral ligament rupture) that has been sutured is still in there… (it) would just tighten, and everything was pretty painful.
‘But I don’t have to worry about that anymore, that’s been nice. I feel very good. I like the way I swing the golf club, put it, chip it, control it, iron play is solid. It really feels similar.
“I have a completely different knee, but in terms of swing it still feels the same. I can do everything I need to do. And the confidence is there. The confidence was gone through my knee and that was it.’
Keopka, one of the strongest players in professional golf, says he tried to smash his window
Koepka missed the cut last year but is currently three times clear of the chasing pack in 2023
As it stands, Koepka sits at 12-under-par after shooting 65, 67, and is three shots away from closest rival Jon Rahm, who has yet to complete his second round.
Play in Augusta was halted ahead of schedule on Friday after electrical storms and high winds toppled trees, nearly injuring visitors at the 17th tee.
American amateur Sam Bennett is third at eight under par, while Collin Morikawa and Viktor Hovland stay close to six under par.