Page 7 - Hobe Sound Reflections - February '22

Hobe Sound, Page 7

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Koepka, Fowler Among Early and also made more than $7 million can be replicated in two in 2015 (The Players and Deutsche Bank), the 2017

Commitments To Play In The 2022 and beyond. Honda Classic, and the Waste Management in 2019.
“That wasn’t peak,” Koepka said. “That wasn’t peak.
He has been feeling good in recent weeks and expects

2022 Honda Classic Just wait.” to add to that total in 2022.
Koepka announced an equipment change in November “It has been a bit more of just going out and not
Brooks Koepka and Rickie Fowler, two of the biggest and the results thus far have been encouraging. He worrying so much about the swing, not golf swing but just
fan favorites in golf, have committed to play in the 2022 finished tied for ninth at the Hero World Challenge and playing golf and hitting shots,” Fowler said. “It’s been
Honda Classic, a PGA Tour event which will be held Feb. then 28th at the Sentry Tournament of Champions at fun to be back in a position where I can just go play golf.
21 to 27 at PGA National Resort & Spa. Kapalua. And like I said, we put the work in on the swing, and so
Koepka, a 31-year-old West Palm Beach product who “I’m very, very happy, and it’s even taken me by shock time to stop worrying about that and go play golf. It’s
has won four major championships, is returning to the how easy this transition is, and I think everything’s getting been a long time coming, but it is nice to finally start to
champion course where he finished second in 2019, after right where it should be,” Koepka said. “My game feels see some results.”
being forced to miss the 2021 event with a freak knee good. I feel good. I should be playing good.” The Honda Classic awarded $5.1 million to 100 South
injury. A bad step turned into a dislocated kneecap that The injuries and just getting a little older have forced Florida philanthropic organizations in 2021, a number
shattered last March when Koepka tried to jam his knee Koepka to make lifestyle adjustments and not be as that approached tournament record levels despite the
back into place. reckless as he might have been in his 20s. widespread impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The $5.1
Fowler, who won the 2017 Honda and finished second “Mentally, I still think I’m 21. But the past three million was just $250,000 below the record distribution
in 2019 and sixth in 2016, also is looking to regain his years, there’s the realization I’m not that young person of $5.35 million of 2020 and equaled the distribution
winning form in 2022. Last year, Fowler did post an anymore who can go Jet Ski or wakeboard or whatever,” in 2019. It has impacted the lives of more than 100,000
eighth-place finish at the PGA Championship. It was the Koepka told Golf Digest recently. “Getting out of bed now children in the past year and provided a much-needed
33-year-old’s 12th top-10 finish in a major and a sign to takes 30 minutes to get going. You have to change your boost to South Florida community charities that faced
him that the massive work he has been putting in on his lifestyle. I probably packed on 10 to 15 pounds after the their own fiscal challenges in a tough year.
swing the past year was starting to pay dividends. knee surgery because I can’t be as active as I was. I can’t The Honda Classic has now surpassed $55 million in
The two will take on a world-class field that thus far go run. I’m never going to be able to run again. You’re charitable contributions as American Honda approaches
also includes early entries from: parking closer to the door than before and all that.” its 41st year as title sponsor of the PGA Tour event,
• Louis Oosthuizen, the world’s No. 12 ranked player Koepka told Golf Channel recently that his injuries including almost $40 million in the 15 years since
who won The Open Championship in 2010 has finished have also actually helped him think better on the course Children’s Healthcare Charity, Inc. became the host
second or third in each of the last three majors rather than just relying on his physical game which carried organization and moved the event to PGA National Resort
• Tommy Fleetwood, runner-up in the 2018 U.S. Open him to 15 top 10s in majors since 2015. He won four of and Spa.
and 2019 The Open Championship those, two U.S. Opens and two PGA Championships Grounds tickets, Goslings Bear Trap tickets and other
• Lee Westwood – 2020 Race to Dubai winner for the between 2015 and 2017 and still thinks he can reach Jack hospitality tickets and packages for the 2022 Honda
third time as the European Tour’s top player Nicklaus’ record of 18 victories in major championships. Classic are on sale at thehondaclassic.com or by calling
• Gary Woodland – 2019 U.S. Open champion “In my mind, I’m going to catch him on majors. I 1-(844) 8Honda8 – (844) 846-6328.
• Stewart Cink believe that,” Kopeka said. “I don’t see any reason that The Goslings Bear Trap will be back to its original
• Billy Horschel, ranked No. 23 in the world can stop me. I’m 31. I have another 14 years left. If I win layout with no predesignated sections, along with a new
• Former Honda Classic champions Keith Mitchell, one a year, I got Jack. People misconstrue that as being private section on the second level behind the 17th tee
Padraig Harrington, Michael Thompson, Rory Sabbatini, cocky. No, that’s just my belief. If I don’t have that belief, called the Bear Trap Reserve. General grandstands will
and Luke Donald I shouldn’t be out there. If you don’t think you can win, be returning along with public hospitality structures such
Koepka has been in an upbeat mood recently now that why the hell are you teeing it up? Sports are made to have as the Tito’s Stillhouse Lounge at the 17th hole and the
he is finding his form and confidence. He says that he is a winner and a loser. You’re one or the other.” Corona Premier Clubhouse at the 15th green.
just about 100 percent healthy and that his 2018/19 season Fowler has won nine events in his pro career, with five
in which he won the U.S. Open and PGA Championships on the PGA Tour: the 2012 Wells Fargo Championship,