Brooks Koepka fires ominous five

If any of his rivals expect Brooks Koepka to at least take the briefest of pauses for reflection after winning four out of the past 10 majors in which he has played, they should perhaps avoid the comments the world No 1 made following a first-round 66 here on Thursday.

“I’ve told my team, I want to rededicate myself for the next five years and really put my stamp on the game,” the American said, after a bogeyless beginning to the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship that thoroughly belied his competitive inaction for three months.

That is a terrifying proposition. Not only has Koepka completed his quartet in such a short period, but he has also racked up two runner-up finishes as well. And after this ominous opening, the 29-year-old revealed he was nowhere near his best when going 2-1-2-4 in the 2019 majors.

Koepka might have not played competitively since October, because of a knee complaint that required stem-cell surgery, but he has not been fit since the end of 2017.

“Last year, I just couldn’t practise,” Koepka said. “My left knee was too painful and I wasn’t being able to do the things I wanted to. I couldn’t put any weight on it. I usually play the week before a major and, if not before, for the Open and the Masters then at least get there a few days before. I couldn’t do that.”