The practice rounds are in the books at Oak Hill Country Club, as the 2023 PGA Championship finally tees it up Thursday morning. 

It was cold and windy on the course Wednesday, but it appears conditions will get better as the week goes on.

Like all majors, the LIV tour golfers are allowed to be part of the field despite leaving the PGA Tour last year. That list includes the likes of past champions like Brooks Koepka and Dustin Johnson. They both agree that despite not competing with these PGA golfers week in and week out, they will by no means be overlooked this week.

“I think I’ve proven myself out here for a long enough time,” Johnson said. “I already have for many years. So have all the other guys. Where we play at doesn’t change the style of golfer we are.”

“I don’t know about flying under the radar,” Koepka said. “I haven’t really paid much attention. I’ve been pretty busy this week. I like the golf course. I think it’s good. I like the older style golf courses. 

Johnson is currently the 82nd-ranked golfer in the world, while Koepka is ranked 44th. 

“I think it’s very, very tough at the rough,” Koepka said. “It’s kind of a mixture of the PGA and U.S. Open, I think. If you miss greens out here, you’re going to make a lot of bogies. If you miss fairways you’re going to make quite a few bogies. You’re going to be out of position. So, you’ve got to hit fairways. The golf course can be tough, especially if this wind blows."

Koepka had a strong showing the last time the LIV guys were in the mix with a second-place finish at the Masters.