Brooks Koepka predicted to be a ‘big factor’ at the PGA Championship for one key reason

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We are just a few weeks away from the PGA Championship, which is becoming the underlying narrative for every swing on the PGA Tour.

Two Signature Events remain before the second major of the season, and Brooks Koepka is unlikely to be playing in either of them.

Koepka agreed that he would receive no sponsor exemptions for Signature Events this season when he agreed a deal with the PGA Tour for his return. So after he missed the cut alongside Shane Lowry at the Zurich Classic, he is not in the field for this week’s Cadillac Championship.

But the five-time major winner is golf’s big game player, and has a unique ability to ramp up his performances at the biggest events of the year. That has been the case at the PGA Championship, especially since Koepka has won it three times and lifted the Wannamaker Trophy.

And according to analyst Brendon de Jonge, Koepka does something particularly well which makes him a threat to win at Aronimink this year.

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Aronimink is defended by its undulating greens, which require a hot putter to navigate. That’s been an issue for Koepka this season. But the course also rewards the ability to hit the right part of the greens, which the American does incredibly well.

He ranks in the top 10 on the PGA Tour in Strokes Gained: Approach this year, and that will hold him in good stead at the PGA Championship, according to de Jonge.

Speaking on 5 Clubs, he was asked if Koepka can win, and he replied, “Yeah, I think you’d be foolish to say no. I think you’d be foolish. He talked about his affinity for this championship. It’s a golf course that’s really going to suit his game as well.