Golfer Koepka condemns Floyd's murder: racism must be confronted

Golfer Brooks Koepka a few hours ago declared that racism must be confronted across the globe, speaking to reporters ahead of the 3M Open, the first major sporting event in the greater Minneapolis region since the brutal murder of George Floyd in police custody that inspired national and international movements and protests.

Floyd’s murder in May prompted widespread protests in search for a reckoning over racism and equality in the United States and in many other countries, as more professional sporting leagues embraced protests for racial justice.

Jul 18, 2020; Dublin, Ohio, USA; Brooks Koepka plays his shot from the seventh tee during the third round of The Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club. Image Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

“It’s pathetic what happened,” Koepka told some reporters yesterday. “Then you watch it multiple, multiple times, it’s tough. You know, I get chills right now just even thinking about it.”

The four-time major golf winner added: “If there’s anything good, we’re starting to see change.”

Many other famous athletes from Major League Baseball to the English Premier League and also Formula One have taken a knee in support of Black Lives Matter. The NBA, which resumes its COVID-interrupted season on July 30, will have “Black Lives Matter” printed on the game court.

Brooks Koepka of the United States. Image credit AFP

The PGA Tour held a moment of silence for Floyd at each round of June’s Charles Schwab Challenge, as it returned from hiatus.

“Obviously this is a difficult time for everyone,” world number four in golf Dustin Johnson declared to the media. “No one ever wants to see something like that happen. Hopefully we can do things to mitigate those circumstances in the future.”