“Yes, he’s my brother but he deserves a (USA) Ryder Cup pick!”
The defiant words of Chase Koepka, the younger brother of reigning PGA Championship champion Brooks Koepka.
Chase is some four years younger than his also four-time major winning brother, and naturally wants to see him announced tomorrow (Tuesday) by USA captain Zach Johnson who will be in PGA of America HQ in Texas to confirm his full 12-man team ahead of next month’s Rome showdown.
The LIV Golf attached Brooks had been among the leading six up qualifiers until the opening FedEx Cup Play-Offs to be automatically picked but found himself bumped out of the six and now needs Johnson to pick him to earn a fourth Stars and Stripes team cap.
And if brother Chase had his way, his older sibling will be headed to Rome.
The Koepka brothers – Chase and Brooks
In speaking with the Daily Record Chase said: “Brooks is my brother but he deserves a Ryder Cup pick.
“Obviously, he only just missed out in qualifying automatically but what he did in the majors this year, runner-up at The Masters and winning a third PGA Championship while he’s played great in past Ryder Cups.
“My brother has shown that is back to his best and in talking with him, I know first hand how much he wants to be a member of Zach’s side heading to Rome.’
“The way he’s played this year, and the manner he stepped-up to go so close at Augusta and then to see him win another PGA title was phenomenal.
“Looking back 12 months, I don’t think he would have said that to me but the fact he went out and I think he’s fully earned selection. It speaks volumes just how good a player he is.
“And if people don’t see how good he is, and how good he will be in Rome then they’re crazy while I think there’s a lot of guys on the team who already want Brooks on the side, too”.
Chase was commenting following sharing 30th place in Sunday’s concluding Asian Tour’s St. Andrews Bay Championship.
And the new uncle is looking forward to getting home to the States to congratulate his brother and wife, Jenna on the birth just a month ago of Crew, who was born many weeks premature and spent 20 days in an incubator.
He said: “I’m just looking forward so much to seeing my new nephew”.
