Brooks Koepka’s old comments about playing golf with Donald Trump make for interesting reading.
The interview, given in 2020, saw the major champion share his perspective on that round without diving into politics.
His words focused on how he viewed the experience at the time. The quotes come from a conversation during a period when sport and politics often overlapped.
Their resurfacing has brought renewed interest in how Koepka approached respect and tradition.
Brooks Koepka enjoyed the experience of playing with Donald Trump
Koepka looked back fondly on the day with Trump and spoke about what it meant to share the round with his family.
“I mean, we had a blast,” Koepka told GQ. “It was nice to have my family there, my dad, my brother. Anytime it’s with a president, it’s pretty cool.
“I don’t care what your political beliefs are. It’s the president of the United States. It’s an honor that he even wanted to play with me.”
Koepka’s focus was on the moment itself. His comments reflected enjoyment and gratitude rather than any political message.
Brooks Koepka showed respect for the office, not politics
He went on to explain how respect for the position, rather than the person, shaped his view of the occasion.
“I respect the office. I don’t care who it is,” Koepka said. “Still, probably the most powerful man in the entire world. It’s a respect thing. That’s what I don’t understand about the teams that don’t go to the White House.
“It’s still… like, if I see an older man, it’s ‘Yes, sir’ or ‘mister.’ It wouldn’t be like, ‘Hey, Jack, what’s up?’ It’s like, ‘Hey, Mr Nicklaus, how are you?’ Out of respect. Doesn’t matter who it is.”
His comments at the time drew on personal standards of courtesy. They showed how Koepka separates the position from the person holding it.
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