Page 8 - PGA Community News - February '20

Page 8, PGA C.A.N.! BW February 2020
February 2020

Top-Ranked Koepka Commits To Play

In The 2020 Honda Classic

Brooks Koepka, the No. 1 player in the world for the Koepka has stayed humble despite his enormous be just like everybody else, just a normal person.”
past eight months, has committed to play in the 2020 success. The Honda Classic awarded a record-shattering $5.1
Honda Classic, a PGA TOUR event which will be held “I view myself completely differently than people view million to 157 South Florida philanthropic organizations
Feb. 24 to March 1 at PGA National Resort and Spa. me,” he said. “I still think it’s weird when I walk into a last year, the 13th consecutive year that the PGA TOUR
Koepka, a 29-year-old West Palm Beach product, has place and I can see eyes are on me just for dinner. And event has been able to increase its impact on the lives
been the hottest player in golf for two seasons now behind I’m like, what’s everybody staring at?” of local children and their families. More than 75,000
incredible performances in Major championships. Four “I just view myself as a regular guy, just like everybody children and their families benefited from the Honda
of his seven PGA TOUR victories have come in Majors. else. And I just happen to be really good at golf, and Classic Cares initiative.
Koepka, who last year tied for second with Rickie that’s it. I don’t view myself any different than anybody Grounds tickets, Bear Trap tickets and other hospitality
Fowler behind Keith Mitchell at The Honda Classic, else does. I’m just a regular guy. That’s how I’d like to tickets and packages for the 2020 Honda Classic are on
won the PGA Championship after finishing second at be treated. I don’t want to be put up on a – I don’t want sale at thehondaclassic.com or by calling 1-844-8Honda8
The Masters. He also finished second at the U.S. Open to say a pedestal or anything like that, but I just want to (844) 846-6328.
and fourth at the British Open. He was the fifth player in
history to finish in the top five in all four Majors.
At the PGA Championship at Bethpage in New York,
Koepka overcame final day struggles in high winds to hold
off Dustin Johnson by two strokes. The victory allowed CAMPBELL AND KARLIK, P.A.
him to supplant Johnson and regain the No. 1 spot in the
Official World Golf Ranking. ATTORNEYS AT LAW
Koepka would have been the first player since Willie
Anderson in 1903 to 1905 to win three consecutive U.S.
Opens, but Gary Woodland caught fire to beat him by
three strokes even though Koepka was the first player in Wills • Trusts • Estate Planning • Probate
history to post four scores in the 60s and not win.
Koepka’s 2019 accomplishments came after he won the Taxation • Real Estate • Corporations
U.S. Open and PGA Championship in 2018 and the U.S.
Open in 2017. He was the first player to win back-to-back
titles at both the U.S. Open and the PGA Championship
and joined six others as winners of multiple titles at both
tournaments (Walter Hagen, Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan,
Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino and Tiger Woods).
At the 2019 Honda Classic, Koepka birdied two of his
final three holes in the final round on Sunday to post a
4-under 66 and claim a share of second place with Fowler
at 8-under 272. That was one stroke behind Mitchell, who
holed a 15-foot birdie putt on the final hole to win.
“Every golfer and fan in the local community obviously
takes great pride in what Brooks has accomplished the
past several years,” Honda Classic Executive Director
Kenneth R. Kennerly said. “We are excited that he has
decided to return to The Honda Classic. His presence will
undoubtedly create an enormous amount of excitement at
this year’s tournament.” Diane L. KarLiK
Koepka preferred baseball to golf as a kid but switched
his focus in high school at Cardinal Newman. He learned
the game on the public courses of West Palm Beach, but
was not an accomplished junior player. He ended up Tel: (561) 625-5220
attending college at Florida State and blossomed into a 3450 Northlake Boulevard Suite 210 Fax: (561) 625-5201• Mobile: (561) 797-5004
three-time All American even though he did not win a Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33403 EMail: dlkarlik@aol.com
tournament until his senior year.
Four victories on the European Challenge Tour allowed
him to graduate to the European Tour and also test the
PGA TOUR in 2014.
“Going over there was a bunch of fun. It’s the best time Mother Nature’s Pantry
I’ve ever had playing golf,” Koepka said. “You become
more of a well-rounded player playing different places,
having to travel, doing that sort of thing. I felt like I was Serving The Community For 40 Years
good enough to be out here (on the PGA TOUR) when
I was there. It’s just hard to get out here. I felt like if I
just did what I was supposed to do and kind of dug deep Everything you need for a healthier lifestyle
and stayed patient that I was going to find a way. Luckily
enough it was pretty quick.” H Sandwiches & Wraps
He made 12 of 16 cuts with two top 10 finishes to earn H Homemade Soups
his TOUR card for 2015. That’s when he put together
a breakthrough season with his first victory (Waste H Garden Fresh Salads
Management Phoenix Open) and eight Top 10 finishes.
Koepka had five top five finishes in 2016 before beginning H Smoothies
his Major run at the 2017 Open.
Everything came together at Erin Hills. His 72-hole H Healthy Shakes
total of 16-under 272 tied the tournament record for H Energy Drinks - Juices
lowest total under par, which was set by Rory McIlroy
at Congressional Country Club in 2011. He had six
additional Top 10 performances during the year to go We carry a complete line of Solgar,
alongside the Open victory.
In 2018, Koepka was the PGA TOUR Player of the Year New Chapter, Garden of Life, Natures Plus,
behind the U.S. Open and PGA Championship victories.
and many more

We Will Meet Any Competitor’s Price

4513 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens, FL
On the corner of PGA and Military Trail
561.626.4461