Brooks Koepka refused to be drawn into whether or not The Players Championship should be elevated to the fifth men’s major. 

Koepka is competing in the PGA Tour’s flagship event at Sawgrass this week for the first time in three years.

The American controversially quit the American circuit for LIV Golf in 2022 but made a sensational return via a returning member programme last December after leaving the PIF-backed league. 

Over the last few weeks, it has been made very clear that PGA Tour officials are making a concerted effort to amplify the importance of The Players.

A promotional campaign in February came with the tagline: “March is going to be major”. 

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It led to an intense debate as to whether it should be fully recognised as the fifth major championship. 

Controversial Golf Channel analyst Brandel Chamblee claimed not only was it a major but in fact the best one. 

Rory McIlroy, who is an injury doubt this week, said The Players doesn’t need to have such a status as it “stands on its own without a label”. 

“So from an identity standpoint, I think The Players has got it nailed,” he said. 

McIlroy, instead, argued that the PGA Championship should be moved back to August. 

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Koepka was asked for his opinion on the matter during his pre-tournament news conference on Tuesday. 

“I think you’ve got to have one big event on the PGA Tour, and it’s their staple, and I think it’s a good thing.”

Koepka compared the tournament to the flagship BMW PGA Championship on the DP World Tour. 

“I think that’s what makes this event so cool,” he added. “I think it’s awesome that we come back to the same golf course every year. I think that’s really, really fun and makes it enjoyable. 

“I mean, I know what you’re trying to bait me into saying, but listen, it’s the Players Championship. Everybody knows it’s a tournament you want to win. 

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“It’s a tournament that’s, like I said earlier, the kick-off of the big season of the golf, and that’s what makes this fun.”

 

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