Smith: "Write Brooks Koepka off at your peril"

At the beginning of the year, I genuinely believed Brooks Koepka was a lock for the U.S. Ryder Cup team and expected him to challenge in at least one major championship.

But at this point, Koepka's form—and body language—is utterly dreadful. 

At last month's Masters he looked set to make the cut with ease and stood on his 36th hole knowing even a bogey would secure weekend action.

Instead, he unravelled in dramatic fashion, carding a quadruple bogey eight and missed the cut by three shots.

It was his first missed cut in a major championship since the 2022 Open at St Andrews.

Of course, even elite players like Koepka can hit dreadful shots now and then, so I didn't see that collapse at Augusta as cause for panic—at least, not initially.

But rounds of 75 and 76 last week at Quail Hollow saw Koepka make a quick exit—his first ever—from the PGA Championship.

Among the LIV Golf recruits, only Dustin Johnson fared worse.

Tensions flared when Koepka appeared ready to throw fists after a spectator made a snide remark about his move to LIV Golf.

"That's what you get for taking guaranteed money," the man said as a visibly irritable Koepka walked past a hospitality tent.

It's not the first time he's taken heat for the switch and it certainly won't be the last.

But the fact he reacted at all suggests, at least to me, that he's unfocused right now.

Hopefully, he'll rediscover that edge soon, because Koepka in full flight—duelling with the likes of Scottie Scheffler, Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm, Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele, and Ludvig Åberg—is a tantalising prospect.

From 2017 to 2023, Koepka won five majors and added nine more top-10 finishes on golf's biggest stages. When you stop to think about it, that's an utterly absurd record.

It may be a stretch to think he can recapture that same level of dominance. But if a bionic Tiger Woods can win a major at 49, there's absolutely no reason at all Koepka can't summon a bit of that old magic again. He's only 36. 

To do that, though, I believe Koepka needs to start playing PGA Tour events consistently over the next five years.

It's understood his contract with LIV expires at the end of 2026. At this point, I genuinely hope he chooses to try and return to the PGA Tour rather than sign an extension. 

It would be the best thing for his career, but the prospect of having to serve a ban may be too much of a headache. 

Let's be honest, though, playing at TPC Scottsdale or TPC Sawgrass would surely prepare him better for majors than Riyadh Golf Club, wouldn't it?

"Brooks is a curious player," English tour pro Eddie Pepperell said on the most recent episode of The Chipping Forecast.

"He always has been. He's never been someone to perform at his best anywhere other than major championships.

"It's such an unusual record he has across his career. I think it's going to be interesting to see what happens with Brooks at the end of this year or next.

"I think it's this year that his contract is up. A big part of me thinks he's going to want to feel stimulated and make a change—which would be to come back and play the PGA Tour and resurrect his career off the back of that.

"But, at the same time, if he feels any doubts about his physicality, then he may just sign another big contract with LIV and carry on there.

"He's another player like Cam Smith and Dustin [Johnson], who've gone to LIV in recent times and whose form has just fallen away completely—and it's a shame."

Koepka will be back in major action when the U.S. Open heads to Oakmont next month. 

The USGA always chooses challenging venues and I hope Koepka is working hard off the course to prove he is up to the task despite growing concerns he'll join DJ as a washed major force. 

Rory McIlroy should remember what he said

Rory McIlroy made the headlines last week and he didn't even have to say a word. 

The Northern Irishman's driver was deemed non-conforming by the USGA on Tuesday of the PGA Championship and he was forced into a late switch. 

He proceeded to then struggle to find the fairways at Quail Hollow and, despite making the cut on the number, couldn't mount his usual charge up the leaderboard. 

McIlroy decided not to speak to the media after his news conference on Tuesday. 

There's an assumption McIlroy was annoyed the news was leaked or didn't want to pour fuel on the fire to what he probably deems a complete non-story. We'll find out what he has to say in a few weeks' time. 

It was an uncharacteristic move, though, and debate has raged since whether golfers should be obligated to speak to the media. 

Some of the op-eds have been interesting to read, especially with those saying McIlroy should always offer up a few minutes after each round of a major even if he isn't in contention. 

This isn't the first time McIlroy has taken this approach with the media. 

When he was trying to end his 10-year wait for a major title, there were a number of occasions where he would only take part in a pre-tournament news conference and speak at the conclusion of the tournament. 

I'm of the view that high-profile players like McIlroy should be obligated to speak after each round, though. And not just because I'm part of the Corrupt Golf Media. 

Take your mind back to March and McIlroy acknowledged the PGA Tour didn't face stiff competition from just LIV Golf. 

McIlroy said the Tour (and golf in general) was competing against TikTok, Instagram and YouTube for attention. 

Although he won't like it, I just think we need to be hearing from McIlroy after each round of a major. Even if it's just for a few minutes. Even if he's annoyed with his performance. Even if he's not in contention. 

Because he's Rory McIlroy.