The Open 2019: Why Tiger Woods says Brooks Koepka won’t return his texts

ROYAL PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland — By all accounts, Tiger Woods and Brooks Koepka have a friendly relationship. Each is hugely complimentary of the other’s play, they’ve tangled twice in the past year on major championship Sundays and each is among this week’s Open Championship favorites. But Woods explained on Tuesday that he thinks Koepka is dodging his texts — for a reason.

The subject came up during Woods’ press conference on Tuesday at Royal Portrush, when he was asked if he’d gotten any local knowledge from Darren Clarke, Graeme McDowell or Koepka’s caddie Ricky Elliott, who hails from Portrush. Woods laughed.

“No, I have not,” he said, pausing for a moment before deciding to share what had popped to mind.

“Tell you a funny story. I texted Brooksy, congratulations on another great finish. What he’s done in the last four major championships has been just unbelievable. To be so consistent, so solid. He’s been in contention to win each and every major championship. And I said, ‘Hey, dude, do you mind if I tag along and play a practice round?'”

The implication was that Woods would enjoy Koepka’s company and potentially pick up some local knowledge in the process. But from Koepka’s perspective, that was a no-go.

“I’ve heard nothing,” Woods finished.

Woods was out scouting for himself early Tuesday morning, teeing off just before 8 a.m. and playing seven holes before heading to the range and then to his press conference. He tees off at 10:10 a.m. ET Thursday at the Open Championship alongside Patrick Reed and Matt Wallace.

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