Brooks Koepka is no stranger to the major stage.

The five-time major winner is known as golf’s big-game player, stepping up at the biggest events in a year in a way he simply doesn’t week to week on the PGA Tour. He has more major wins than regular PGA Tour events in his career.

Having been in that position so many times, Koepka revealed how he knows whether he’ll be in contention at a major championship days before the event even starts.

How Brooks Koepka knows whether he’ll be in contention for a major

Koepka, speaking to Dan Rapaport on his YouTube channel, said he knows whether he’ll be in the mix at a tournament after his first practice round on Tuesday.

He explained, “I feel like every time I’ve contended in a major, contended in a big moment, I kind of know it’s going to happen before the week’s already started. It’s a weird feeling.

“I can almost tell you on Tuesday what it the result’s going to be just because there’s a level of confidence of what you’re doing, you understand, you can shape it both ways, you like the golf course that is set up for you.

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“There are so many different things. But I feel like usually I’ve got a good idea by Tuesday of what’s going to happen, and then while you’re out there it’s just a matter of staying patient and not letting one shot dictate the whole outcome of it. It’s like if I get in trouble on the third hole in the opening round and I could take a chance by going in these trees.

“I’m like, well, just play it safe. Just make bogey and get out of here because my whole thing with majors is don’t make a double. That’s been like my theory since day one. And if I do that, then I feel like I give myself a good chance.”

Koepka did make a double bogey on his way to winning the 2018 PGA Championship, shooting 15-under par over the last three days to win the Wannamaker Trophy. But understanding that avoiding disaster is sometimes more important than making a birdie is what makes Koepka a five-time major winner.