Q. What positive will you take from this week, your best finish in your return?
BROOKS KOEPKA: Yeah, I played really solid the last three days. Didn't quite hit it that great yesterday, but just controlling shots I think a lot better. Putter obviously has gotten better. I haven't looked at the stats, but just that little adjustment Thursday night made a huge difference. Finally found some confidence. I think that's the one thing that's been lacking.
Q. Your drive on 4 was amazing, and then to chip it in, that was great. Talk about the 4th hole.
BROOKS KOEPKA: Yeah, it's kind of a tough pin no matter where you are, and I actually got a good break by being in the first cut. It was an unbelievable lie because I was able to actually really nip it and put some spin on it.
I think if it doesn't hit the flag, it's still probably three feet by, but I'm still tapping that in. But it helped to be in the semi there. It was a very big break.
Q. You played three rounds with Ben this tournament. Talk about playing with him and --
BROOKS KOEPKA: I played all four rounds with him. I'm sure he's tired of me now. Yeah, he's a good player. I've known him for a long time. We've played a lot of golf together. He's a good player. I was happy to see him make the cut here. Unfortunately today he didn't have the day he wanted, but it was fun. I enjoyed all four days.
Q. You talked about how confidence was lacking a little bit until today. In your experience, how much does that carry over? How much does playing well yesterday and today, how much will that carry over to a week from Thursday?
BROOKS KOEPKA: Yeah, it'll carry over for sure. Honestly, it was just the putter. The putter, it felt like -- because I wasn't making any putts, I felt like I had to hit it to tap-in, so it was putting pressure on the iron play, maybe being more aggressive off the tee. So it was kind of backfiring that way.
Just felt like I couldn't hit it to the -- I've always said, conservatively aggressive. I try to hit it 15 feet right and sometimes you just settle for par on a tough hole and you roll one in. 9 is a perfect example.
But to be able to make a few of those putts, you can kind of build a rhythm and build momentum. It was a huge thing. I think Thursday night was a bit of a breakthrough.
Q. What's your schedule the week of THE PLAYERS? Will you go in early?
BROOKS KOEPKA: What's early? What do you mean?
Q. Like Monday.
BROOKS KOEPKA: Yeah, Monday I think is fair. I haven't booked a flight yet. I would assume probably get up there Monday around lunchtime, would be my guess. I mean, it's a good week. It's fun. Probably just get acclimated to everything again. I don't know, have they overseeded? It's probably playing a little bit different than the last time I played. It would have been '22 maybe. I just remember it was blowing a hoolie that day. I remember going to 17 and debating about hitting a 5-iron. Hopefully it plays a little different this year.
Q. Trey Jones has got a couple nice recruits of late. What's he meant to you in your journey?
BROOKS KOEPKA: Yeah, Trey is an awesome coach. I think he's a good leader, good recruiter. I think he finds a way to turn boys into men, and I think he's done an unbelievable job of that. I think it says something. You look at the guys out here, Berger, Hank -- not just players, but they're good people, too. Luke. Everybody out here that's gone there is well liked, respectable men on and off the golf course. I think that's a lot of credit to him.
Q. Panther hockey, are they going to make the playoffs?
BROOKS KOEPKA: I hope so. It's going to be tough. I think with three years in a row making the Stanley Cup, it's tough to stay healthy that long, and then riding a high of the Olympics, too. I hope they do, but I'll be there if I can. Don't worry.
Q. Now three events into your return, are you still kind of adjusting to getting back here, or is it just business as usual, you feel pretty comfortable?
BROOKS KOEPKA: No, I think a lot of that was first week. Once you get inside the ropes, it feels natural. I think it's easier once you get inside those ropes. Once the first week, doing all the media stuff and getting all that out of the way, it was a huge thing for me, and now it's just a matter of going to play and build a rhythm.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports