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Any hopes within the R&A hierarchy that the Open Championship’s return to Royal St George’s would be free from venue-related controversy have been ruined by Brooks Koepka. The four-time major winner used pre-tournament media duties to pointedly state the Kent course is “not my favourite of the rotation” owing to blind shots and what the American perceives as lack of opportunity for drama.
The tournament organisers would have shuddered at Koepka’s words. St George’s is viewed by many within golf as the poor relation of the Open circuit. Surprise victories for Ben Curtis, in 2003, and Darren Clarke eight years later partly fuelled that negativity. Now Koepka, before his seventh Open appearance, has had his say.
Related: ‘Kind’ Bryson DeChambeau stands firm over Koepka spat before Open
