Brooks Koepka told LIV Golf boss Greg Norman he’s "back" ahead of the Masters this weekend after winning in Orlando.
Koepka became the first player to win two LIV titles as he secured the win at The Gallery Golf Club in Orlando last weekend. The four-time major champion collected a £3.2million prize for his efforts.
Koepka shot a final round three-under-par 68 to overcome the likes of Sebastian Munoz, Patrick Reed and Dean Burmester to seal the win - his second on the controversial breakaway circuit. The American won his maiden LIV event in the tournament’s debut campaign last year, emerging victorious in the Saudi capital of Jeddah.
With the Masters teeing off at Augusta this week, it is the perfect time for Koepka to come into form. He, along with several other LIV stars, are set to return to the PGA Tour amid the rift between the two circuits - so fireworks are expected.
Norman believes Koepka is back to his best, saying: “I just walked by him coming over here and I said, ‘Brooks, I’ve never seen you swing so free. It’s like you’re hitting the ball into the clouds’. It was just so good to see him feel that way.
“He said, ‘I’m back’. When you hear a player say that, it’s like OK, happy days ahead.”
Koepka is one of 18 LIV members set to feature at the Masters this week, where Scottie Scheffler will defend his title and Rory McIlroy has another opportunity to complete the career Grand Slam. With his eyes on winning the opening major of the year, Koepka is clearly excited as he said: “I'm playing good, and there's really no better way to go into Augusta than playing good and getting a win.
“I’m very confident - I like where the game is at. [I] Just need to go out and try to rest up for three days, do my usual play nine holes every day and do the homework around these greens, just get a little more adjusted with Augusta.”
The 32-year-old is clearly excited about testing himself against the PGA Tour stars while he warned a LIV win could be a turning point. He added: “I'm looking forward to it, just to see everybody and compete against them. At the end of the day, I'll be honest, I do miss playing against Rory (McIlroy), I do miss playing against Scottie (Scheffler), and I'm sure they miss playing against us.
“That's a fact; you always want to play against the best. That's going to make Augusta even more special. I think if one of the LIV players does win, I think it'll be definitely a huge statement for LIV.”
