World number one Brooks Koepka is out to win this week’s 3M Open before turning his attention to the Open Championship at Royal Portrush.
The 29-year-old will tee it up at TPC Twin Cities as he goes in search of a second victory of the season, having successfully defended his US PGA Championship title in May.
The Florida resident has won four majors en route to the top of the rankings but been accused by sections of the media of talking his foot off the gas in regular PGA Tour event, with only two wins outside of the majors on his CV.
Regardless of that statistic, Koepka is eyeing glory in Minnesota, saying: “This week it will be just trying to win a golf tournament, that’s the only thing I’m here to do. “I want to get reps in this week and feel confident going in to The Open.”
The American ace is yet to win the Open but does have two top-10 finishes to his name. The big-hitting Ryder Cup star has never seen the Northern Irish venue and will rely on caddie Ricky Elliot, who is an expert on the County Antrim layout.
“I hope he knows that golf course like the back of his hand,” added Koepka. “He knows that golf course probably better than anybody other than Graeme McDowell.”
Koepka is the 9.00 favourite to win this week’s event, with Jason Day (11.00), Hideki Matsuyama (also 11.00) and Bryson DeChambeau (15.00) also prominent in the market. Meanwhile he is 9.00 favourite to win the Open ahead of home hero Rory McIlroy at 9.50.
