Brooks Koepka has great reason for not viewing Rory McIlroy as rival

Brooks Koepka offered a great quote for why he does not view himself as having a rivalry with Rory McIlroy despite the two being the top-ranked golfers in the world.

Koepka shared his answer with the AFP ahead of this week’s CJ Cup, and it was a good one.

“I’ve been out here for what, five years. Rory hasn’t won a major since I’ve been on the PGA Tour,” Koepka told the AFP. “So I don’t view it as a rivalry.”

You really can’t argue with that. Yes, they both may have won three times on tour this year, and they each have four majors, but McIlroy hasn’t won a major since 2014. He’s had eight top-10 finishes, but no major wins since then. He also has failed to make the cut four times.

In that same span, Koepka has won all four of his majors, missed no cuts, and finished in the top four of all four majors this year. Koepka has come on strong and has been the top golfer recently when it comes to the biggest events.

However, the two split head-to-head, with Koepka winning the World Golf Championship in Memphis and McIlroy winning the Tour Championship for the FedEx Cup. McIlroy still had an excellent year.

None of that changes Koepka’s mentality.

“I’m No. 1 in the world. I’ve got open road in front of me. I’m not looking in the rearview mirror, so I don’t see it as a rivalry,” Koepka said.

You have to love his attitude and confidence. That’s a big part of what makes him great.