Brooks Koepka blamed “a lack of creativity” in interview questions for declining media requests to speak after the first round of the US Open.
Koepka, a two-time winner, held a share of the lead after going three under par through his first 10 holes, but three late bogeys forced him to settle for a level par 70 at No. 2 Pinehurst.
The former world number 1 refused to speak to waiting journalists but insisted it was not because he was angry about his poor finish after later agreeing to a text interview with Eamon Lynch of Golfweek.
Koepka mixed three birdies and three bogeys in his first round
“I chose not to do them simply because I didn’t feel like it,” Koepka wrote. “The same questions every week. The lack of creativity with the questions is kind of annoying. I know I’m not a media favorite either, so it’s not like anyone would notice. LOL.”
Asked if there was an element of self-pity in that response, Koepka added: “No, I’m honest. Most golf fans don’t live or die by my statements .I’m not Tiger Woods or Scottie Scheffler. And Rory (McIlroy).
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“I’m just not oblivious. Because that’s what I would want to hear about. I wouldn’t be the one I would want to hear about. I’m good at removing myself from the situation and understanding as a fan.
“It’s more like I don’t care. Everyone’s refusing interviews. Not angry at all. I hope that’s clear.”
Koepka hits his tee shot on the 11th hole during the first round
Garcia benefits from late US Open call-up
Koepka is one of 12 LIV Golf League players in the field, with Sergio Garcia also part of that contingent and making the most of his late entry after a rare bogey-free start to his major week.
Garcia was in danger of missing a 25th consecutive appearance in golf’s toughest major when he lost in a seven-for-six play-off in final qualifying in Dallas, with the former Masters champion making bogey on the first extra hole .
However, as first alternate, the Spaniard was still likely to earn a place in the field and found out on Monday morning that he would indeed be playing his third US Open at the North Carolina venue.
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Justin Timberlake spotted Sergio Garcia in the crowd at his concert earlier this month and decided to show off his golf swing!
Garcia was among the early starters in the first round Thursday and became just the sixth player to go a bogey-free round at a U.S. Open at Pinehurst with 17 pars and a birdie. The last time Garcia was bogey-free in the first round of a major was at the 2017 Masters, which he won.
“Obviously shooting under par at a US Open, which is a championship I love, is always great,” Garcia said. “Avoiding bogeys is even bigger. It’s something I give a lot of respect to and am very proud of.
“I’ve had the pleasure of playing this championship 25 years in a row and not many people get the chance to do that, so I’m very, very happy to be here and that’s why I keep trying to qualify and to get here. I’m very happy with the way I played, the way I managed my game throughout the round and my patience all day.
“I tried to stay very calm and very committed to what I wanted to do, which was hit a lot of greens and give myself a lot of outside opportunities for a birdie and hopefully you’ll have one of those days when you do three or four, and then it’s an amazing day No, like today, it’s still a great day.
Who will win the third major men’s tournament of the year? Watch the US Open live on Sky Sports. Live coverage of the second round begins on Friday from 12:30 p.m. on Sky Sports Golf. Stream the US Open and more with NOW.
