[Golf Topic] World No. 3 Kepka Says "I Need a Gallery"

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] ○..."We need galleries."

Brooks Koepka (USA, photo), ranked 3rd in the world, expressed a negative reaction to the "no-audience matches," saying, "It would feel strange." On the 20th (Korean time), he appeared on a U.S. podcast radio broadcast and said, "Imagine making the winning putt on the final hole but no one clapping." He added, "The gallery also blocks balls flying to unexpected places," and "there will be more lost balls."

The U.S. Professional Golfers' Association (PGA) Tour will resume the 2020 season starting June 11 with the Charles Schwab Challenge (total prize money $7.5 million). The RBC Heritage on the 18th and the Travelers Championship on the 25th will follow. To prepare for the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), the first four tournaments are planned to be held without spectators. Koepka added his regret, saying, "Players live off the energy that fans emit," and "I don't think I will have strength in no-audience matches."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.