Quadruple major champion Brooks Koepka believes he can win the Masters despite having right knee surgery three weeks ago.
The former world number one underwent surgery on March 16 after dislocating the kneecap and ligament damage.
The American says he was back hitting bullets seven days after his surgery.
“If I had known I was going to finish second I wouldn’t have shown up,” said the 30-year-old after playing a few practice holes at Augusta National.
“I feel like I can win. I will play. Everything will be fine.”
The 2021 men’s first major kicks off Thursday at the iconic Georgia course, with defending champion Dustin Johnson.
Koepka last played at the WGC Workday Championship in Florida on February 28, where he was tied for second.
He then missed the Players Championship and the Honda Classic before undergoing surgery in California.
“The goal was to play against Augusta so we were going to see if we could play,” he added. “A few bad days or something, it could waste a lot of your time.”
“It’s been over seven hours a day in rehab, between straightening my neck and knee. I’m going to live on the (rehab) table, make sure that I can be comfortable and that it feels good. ”
Koepka, who previously had left knee and hip problems, won the American PGA Championship and the US Open twice each.
His best Masters result was second in 2019.
