Brooks Koepka refuses interviews after first round at the US Open... before bizarrely holding one over TEXT with a reporter
- Koepka was left with an even-par 70 after the first round at Pinehurst No. 2
- READ MORE: Rory McIlroy LEADS the US Open after bombshell divorce U-turn
Brooks Koepka bizarrely held an interview with a reporter over text after refusing to speak with the media after his first round at the US Open on Thursday.
Three late bogeys left the American with an even-par 70 at the end of the opening day in North Carolina, with Rory McIlroy leading the pack following his bombshell divorce U-turn.
After his disappointing end to the round, Koepka declined interviews at Pinehurst No. 2 and headed off for the day, before later agreeing to an unusual interview over text with Golfweek's Eamon Lynch.
When asked why he opted not to speak to the media, he told Lynch: 'I opted not to do ‘em just because I didn’t feel like it. Same questions every week. The lack of creativity with questions is kinda boring.
'I know I’m not a media favorite either so it’s not like anyone will notice. LOL.'
Brooks Koepka bizarrely held an interview with a reporter over text after refusing to speak with the media after his first round at the US Open
Lynch then enquired if Koepka was taking issue with the media to fire himself up for the tournament. No, definitely not,' he responded. 'It’s a major. I have enough self-motivation.
'I could think of way more creative questions than "Do you think the course is borderline? What happened on those bogeys? What went well?" Then some LIV versus PGA Tour questions.'
After Koepka suggested the Pinehurst course's new Bermuda grass as a potential 'creative' question, Lynch joked: 'That’s not very creative. But anyway, were you p****d at the round getting away from you or happy with the even-par score?'
'Wasn’t trying to be creative,' the World No. 43 replied. 'If you want me to get creative I can.
'Not my job, but if I get 10 I can think of something since the media has all day.'
On his poor finish to the round, he said: 'I was fine with it. Obviously could have been better but even par in a U.S. Open will not hurt you.'
Koepka also added about his media snub: 'It’s more I just don’t care about doing it. Everyone else turns interviews down. I never do. Would rather come back, rest up and spend time chilling. Not angry at all. Hope that’s clear. I declined my press conference too this week.'
Koepka endured a poor end to the round to leave himself on even-par 70 for the day
The five-time major winner, who is married to Jena Koepka (right), is seeking his third US Open triumph this week
After Lynch admitted the media may begin to root against him if he declines more interviews over the weekend, Koepka said: 'They already do.'
'Cry me a river,' the Golfweek reporter brutally responded.
Koepka went on to claim 'nobody really cares what I have to say' before adding: 'Most golf fans don’t live or die on my statements. I’m not Tiger Woods or Scottie Scheffler. And Rory. Everyone else is kind of an afterthought.
'I’m just not oblivious. Because that’s who I would wanna hear from. I wouldn’t be one I’d want to hear from. I’m good at removing myself from the situation and understanding as a fan.'
Koepka, who is married to model and former actress Jena Sims, is a five-time major winner after winning the PGA Championship three times and the US Open on two previous occasions.
