Koepka: 'It's pathetic what happened' in killing of George Floyd

Brooks Koepka reflected on the killing of George Floyd in police custody in May ahead of this week's 3M Open - the first major sporting event near Minneapolis since Floyd's death.

"Obviously, it was tragic," Koepka said Tuesday, according to ESPN's Myron Medcalf. "It's pathetic what happened. To see somebody's life to go and you watch it multiple, multiple times. It's tough. I get chills right now, just thinking about it. What happened was uncalled for."

Koepka headlines the field at the 3M Open in Blaine, Minnesota, 20 miles from the city where Floyd died after Derek Chauvin, a white police officer, kneeled on Floyd's neck for almost nine minutes.

Video of the incident sparked protests and widespread conversation about racism across the U.S. and the rest of the world. Koepka views that as a positive.

"If there's anything good, we're starting to see change and I think that's important," he said. "As a world, as people, we need to continue to grow. We're at least bringing light to it now.

"Racism is a big issue and I think we're on our way now. People are becoming more vocal. Everyone is becoming more vocal and I think it's very important. And it's definitely showing."

Koepka is currently the No. 6 golfer in the world rankings and enters the 3M Open following back-to-back difficult outings at Muirfield Village. The 30-year-old missed the cut at the Workday Charity Open then finished in a tie for 62nd at the Memorial Tournament.