Brooks Koepka relishes return 'home' for Cognizant Classic

Brooks Koepka will look to regain his form at a familiar course this week when he tees off at the Cognizant Classic in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.

Koepka has struggled thus far in his return to the PGA Tour, recording a T56 at the Farmers Insurance Open and a missed cut at the WM Phoenix Open. The five-time major champion and nine-time winner on the PGA Tour has drifted back to 263rd in the Official World Golf Ranking.

Recent results aside, Koepka feels his game is coming along.

"Yeah, I feel really good," he said on Wednesday. "I think the first week was just a matter of getting out and going to play. Phoenix just kind of exposed some stuff I need to work on. I was back at it on -- I think we got back Saturday night, took Sunday off, and been grinding since Monday.

"But it feels really good. I'm excited. I know that it's progressing very, very nicely, and just want to put myself in contention here a few times before Augusta and see where everything lies."

Koepka, 35, will be making his eighth start in this tournament and first since he finished T16 in 2022.

That said, the West Palm Beach, Fla., native has fond memories of attending this tournament dating back to his younger years.

"Yeah, I mean, growing up here, it was -- I came every year. I remember carrying the sign. From probably I was 9, 10 years old until probably maybe a junior, senior in high school I remember carrying the sign," he said.

"It's always good memories. I remember when it was at Mirasol. It was always a lot of fun getting up close to the guys, seeing everything, and then obviously being able to play in it is special. It's nice. My whole family and friends get to come out and see, and they're not able to all the time. It's a nice event. It's definitely weird staying at home. You just get so accustomed to living out of a suitcase or hotel or whatever.

"But it's enjoyable. It's nice to come back and just feel your own comforts when you get home."

Koepka will feel even better if he effectively learns to use his mallet putter.

"I didn't know where exactly I was hitting it, and obviously when you change putters, speed becomes another thing, and I felt like the speed was slightly off," Koepka said. "Now I understand exactly where to hit it and where it's going. I feel like my speed control has gotten better, and just with a few changes, just tidying those things up."

--Field Level Media