[ad_1]
AUGUSTA, Ga.: Brooks Koepka is swinging the club fine, a good sign going into the Masters.
Getting to the ball for those swings is the problem.
Less than a month removed from a March 16 surgery following a fall that left him with a dislocated right kneecap and damaged ligament, Koepka is at Augusta National a course that isnt exactly flat and definitely isnt one of the easier walks in golf.
Ive got to do it, the four-time major champion said Tuesday. No other option, is there?
Its not just his walking that is affected. His putting is as well. Koepka cant bend down like he would normally, and theres no getting around that not even with hours and hours of rehab and treatment each day.
My knee doesnt go, Koepka said. I mean, thats the most stress youre going to have on your patella. I dont have that much motion in my knee. Prone, I can get it to about 90 degrees and thats about it. But getting down … its going to look funny, I know that.
Koepka hasnt played a tournament since February. He missed The Honda Classic, his hometown event, along with The Players Championship and Match Play because of the injury.
Hes been to the Masters five previous times, making the cut in each, and finished tied for second in 2019 and tied for seventh back in November. He knows how to play Augusta National. The question is if he can do it while the knee limits his mobility and flexibility.
Walking downhill is particularly challenging.
It puts all the pressure on the patella, so considering I dislocated … theres a bunch of stuff going on in there that can cause a pain right where the brace is, Koepka said. Its probably the most sensitive spot, so its going to pull. Its going to hurt downhill.
There has been some swelling in recent days, so Koepka is also mindful of how much hes on his feet away from the golf course.
But the lure of a Masters title and a green jacket is just that strong, so hes here, pain or no pain.
Youve just got to push yourself, and its painful at times, Koepka said. The rehab was strenuous, but Ill be all right.
Koepka already has missed three majors over the last five years, including the Masters in 2018 while recovering from a wrist injury.
___
More AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
[ad_2]