19th Hole

Coach reveals the major tally Brooks Koepka will achieve to put him amongst legends of game

Published

3 years ago

May 23, 2023

Second at The Masters was no fluke.

Despite being the winner of four majors, there were plenty that doubted Brooks Koepka as he faced Jon Rahm in the final pairing at Augusta last month.

Things didn’t go to plan at all for the 33-year-old former world number one, and his fate was sealed when a two-shot overnight lead turned into a deficit. Three bogeys in his front nine, and three more coming home meant a final round four-shot defeat to the then world number one. Koepka looked frustrated not only at Patrick Cantlay’s slow play but also in his own game.

A month is a long time in golf, though, and Koepka left the memory of that mini-collapse well behind with a dominant display at Oak Hill, coming home two shots to the good over 2022 Masters champion Scottie Scheffler and playing partner Viktor Hovland.

His final three rounds of 66/66/67 could have been even better but for scraping the edge of a handful of holes over the weekend, but he is unlikely to complain as he joined just 19 other golfers as a five-time major winner.

Koepka is all about mental strength – just ask his coach.

Legendary golf tutor Pete Cowan told The Guardian that his charge will win a lot more silverware now he is fit and back believing in himself.

“He will win a lot more,” said Cowan. “I certainly think he will go another four and he would obviously like a grand slam. Look at how many times he has been second or just missed out already. I thought he was an unbelievable player in 2018-2019 and he has got stronger.”

Should he get to nine, that would put Brooks alongside Ben Hogan and Gary Player.

Cowan dismisses any poor attitude on Koepka’s part, saying that injury affected him badly after the peak seasons of 2018 and 2019.

“I believed he could come back because he has always been comfortable in uncomfortable situations,” explained Cowan. “He looks as though he is going to beat you now, when he is coming down the stretch.

“He is not frightened of working, that’s for sure, and he couldn’t work when he was injured.”

Many believe that Koepka made the move to LIV Golf because he simply couldn’t see the day when he could be as good as he once was, but having now recorded the best major record of any player so far in 2023, he looks a certainty to make the Ryder Cup in September.

Whether he gets there via automatic selection or via a pick from captain Zach Johnson, Cowan believes both he and Dustin Johnson will tee it up at the Marco Simone.

“He would love to play in the Ryder Cup,” Cowen said. “I know Brooks and Dustin Johnson would love to play. I have spoken to them about it.” The caveat that, “I don’t think Jay would like him to play,” seems to mean little at the moment, with the golfing world generally ignoring politics to celebrate the return to form by one of its best.

Koepka is aware of the history of being the first LIV golfer to win a major, but says,

“Yeah, it’s a huge thing, but at the same time, I’m out here competing as an individual at the PGA Championship.”

Cowan seemed to have no doubts that his pupil had it in him. As they walked and talked at the pitching and putting ranges on Sunday, Koepka “was complaining about swinging poorly.” In reply, Cowan confirmed, “Your 70% will still win.”

It’s not all been sweetness and blowing air.

“I sat him down after watching him play all four rounds at the 2017 St Jude Classic,” the 72-year-old Yorkshireman said.

“I gave him a real talking to, said to him: ‘With that attitude, you’ll win nothing. Your talent is there, but your attitude is appalling. You have to have the attitude of a champion if you are going to be a champion.’

After Koepka’s first major victory, a four-shot win at Erin Hills at the 2017 US Open, he gave his man a commemorative signed flag.

“On the flag it says: ‘Thanks for the bollocking. I couldn’t have done it without you.’ He can take that from me. He doesn’t want a ‘yes’ man or his ego stroked.”

How much each player won at the 2026 Masters

Published

1 month ago

Apr 13, 2026

Gianni Magliocco

Rory McIlroy made it two wins in as many years at Augusta National, seeing off the challengers on a dramatic Sunday to slip on the green jacket once again. The victory earned Rory a whopping payday of $4.5 million, with Scottie Scheffler his closest challenger earning $2.43 million for his sole runner-up finish.

With a total prize purse of $22.5 million up for grabs, here’s a look at how much each player won at the 2026 Masters tournament.

For players that did not make the cut, they still earned $25k for their efforts at the year’s opening major.

1: Rory McIlroy, $4.5 million
2: Scottie Scheffler, $2.43 million
T3: Tyrrell Hatton, $1.08 million
T3: Russell Henley, $1.08 million
T3: Justin Rose, $1.08 million
T3: Cameron Young, $1.08 million
T7: Collin Morikawa, $725,625
T7: Sam Burns, $725,625
T9: Xander Schauffele, $630,00
T9: Max Homa, $630,00
11: Jake Knapp, $562,500
T12: Jordan Spieth, $427,500
T12: Brooks Koepka, $427,500
T12: Hideki Matsuyama, $427,500
T12: Patrick Reed, $427,500
T12: Patrick Cantlay, $427,500
T12: Jason Day, $427,500
T18: Viktor Hovland, $315,000
T18: Maverick McNealy, $315,000
T18: Matt Fitzpatrick, $315,000
T21: Keegan Bradley, $252,000
T21: Ludvig Aberg, $252,000
T21: Wyndham Clark, $252,000
T24: Matt McCarty, $182,083
T24: Adam Scott, $182,083
T24: Sam Stevens, $182,083
T24: Chris Gotterup, $182,083
T24: Michael Brennan, $182,083
T24: Brian Campbell, $182,083
T30: Alex Noren, $146,250
T30: Harris English, $146,250
T30: Shane Lowry, $146,250
T33: Gary Woodland, $121,500
T33: Dustin Johnson, $121,500
T33: Brian Harman, $121,500
T33: Tommy Fleetwood, $121,500
T33: Ben Griffin, $121,500
T38: Jon Rahm, $105,750
T38: Ryan Gerard, $101,250
T38: Haotong Li, $96,750
T41: Justin Thomas, $92,250
T41: Sepp Straka, $87,750
T41: Jacob Bridgeman, $83,250
T41: Kristoffer Reitan, $78,750
T41: Nick Taylor, $74,250
46: Sungjae Im, $69,750
47: Si Woo Kim, $65,250
48: Aaron Rai, $61,650
T49: Corey Conners, $57,600
T49: Marco Penge, $57,600
51: Kurt Kitayama, $55,250
52: Sergio Garcia, $54,000
53: Rasmus Hojgaard, $52,650
54: Charl Schwartzel, $51,300

19th Hole

CBS’s Sunday Masters coverage slammed by golf fans

Published

1 month ago

Apr 13, 2026

Gianni Magliocco

While Sunday was a dramatic day at the Masters, many golf fans were left feeling frustrated by the CBS final round coverage.

There were plenty of moments that golf fans took to social media to air their frustrations on Sunday over, including a lack of shots being shown throughout the day, being behind the live action, confusion over the approach shots of the final group on 18, and providing an angle for the winning putt where the cup couldn’t be seen.

Here’s a look at some of the criticisms that were directed at the CBS coverage throughout the day on X:

This has been a brutal broadcast for CBS. When the folks from Augusta sit down with them this year, you can bet they’ll talk about this 15 seconds where we have no idea where Rory’s ball went, and Dottie moans. #TheMasters pic.twitter.com/ak3mkpIN7V

— Ryan (@PossiblyRy) April 12, 2026

It’s rare criticism coming in for CBS, who are usually heavily praised for their Masters coverage each year.

19th Hole

The surprise club Tommy Fleetwood says is key to his Masters chances

Published

1 month ago

Apr 7, 2026

Gianni Magliocco

Tommy Fleetwood goes in search for the first major victory of his career again this week, with the Englishman proving to be a popular pick at Augusta National.

Fleetwood’s best showing at Augusta came back in 2024 where he finished T3, and while speaking at his pre-tournament press conference, the 35-year-old emphasized the importance of his 9-wood in his pursuit of the green jacket.

Speaking on Tuesday to media, Fleetwood said:

“It’s a great 9-wood golf course. I think it’s always been — I can’t remember when I first put like a 9-wood in or a high lofted club, but it’s a perfect like 9-wood golf course. I’ve had that in the bag for a few years.”

The Englishman continued, revealing that his strategy for the week won’t just be to hit driver off the tee as much as possible:

“Yeah, it’s funny really because I know Augusta is probably associated with being fairly forgiving off the tee in a way, so you think you can whale around driver a little bit. But I don’t necessarily think that’s always the play for me. I think there’s holes that set up really well where I can draw it with the mini driver if I’m feeling less comfortable with the driver and things like that.”

That strategy he believes will make his TaylorMade Qi10 9-wood extra critical this week in Georgia:

“The biggest thing is the 9-wood for me. If I can put myself in position on the par-5s or the 4th long par-3, like it — for me, I can’t really hit that high 4-iron, so 9-wood helps me a lot.”