Brooks Koepka is trading his travel suitcase for his own bed this week, returning to a familiar Florida landscape that shaped his early golfing dreams. 

The five-time major champion returns to PGA National for the Cognizant Classic, his eighth time at this event that is genuinely a home game. 

Back at the event for the first time in three years, Koepka remembers his beginnings, remembering his time spent as a young kid in the crowd watching.

In a pre-tournament press conference, he talked about his time as a child volunteer. "I remember carrying the sign. From probably I was nine, ten years old until probably maybe a junior, senior in high school," he said.

During his early years, he followed the footsteps of professionals such as Stephen Ames and Jeff Maggert while practicing at Mirasol, and he later earned his own professional tournament exemption in 2014.

This particular homecoming is very special, as he will have the opportunity to gain support from his local family and friends, who live just 25 minutes away and can watch him play live.

From Carrying Signs to Chasing Titles

Although he has an extensive history, the course has changed since he last played. He remarked that everything "appears much more lush" since the last overseeding. 

Layout changes, like moving the 10th hole back to a par 5, have changed the way players will have to think about the course. Koepka is confident that the new course conditions will result in many more birdies. 

Outside of design changes, Koepka will have to get used to the new locker room as well. He jokingly remarked that he has been "introducing himself" to about half the players in the field.

As the Masters approaches, Koepka is looking to spend most of his time polishing his game. He has recently changed to a mallet putter in the hope that it will help his speed control and consistency.

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Written by

Abhishek Sharma

Edited by

Oajaswini Prabhu