Brooks Koepka plays a round of golf with England's World Cup stars

West Palm Beach, Florida. The sun is blazing, the humidity is stifling—and Harry Kane is organizing a round of golf with a twist. While the English national team is preparing for the World Cup at the Belgrove luxury resort in West Palm Beach, the captain of the Three Lions pulled off a surprise: He invited Brooks Koepka to play alongside him—a five-time major champion, former world No. 1, and one of the most charismatic figures in modern professional golf.

A round to remember

Joining Kane on the tee were goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, center back John Stones, midfielder Elliot Anderson, and practice goalkeeper Jason Steele. The venue: the Dutchman’s Pipe Course—an 18-hole course on the grounds of the Belgrove Resort, designed by golf legend Jack Nicklaus. A fitting setting for an extraordinary round.

The fact that Koepka was able to join them at all is thanks to his geographical proximity: The 36-year-old American lives in Jupiter, Florida, just about 18 miles from the team’s headquarters. Plus, he was on a break from competition—an ideal opportunity to swing by the Fairways with the soccer stars.

Elliot Anderson, who later described the round on the English Football Association’s social media channels, was visibly impressed: “We had a plus-one—we had Koepka with us, and it was incredible. Harry arranged it. He must know him. It was fantastic. He was so good and really made me look old. I was nervous on the tee, but I did pretty well."

Kane – Scratch Golfer and Host

Anyone who thinks professional soccer players are, at best, ambitious beginners on the golf course is seriously underestimating Harry Kane. England’s captain and Bayern Munich striker has a zero handicap—known as “scratch” in golf—a level that even many passionate amateur golfers spend their entire lives striving for in vain. No wonder, then, that Kane and training goalkeeper Jason Steele are at the top of the team’s internal rankings.

Anderson adds: “Steeley and Kane are the best. They have a little competition over which of the two is better. Brilliant golfers. It’s fun to play with them.” Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford is also known as a passionate golfer, and even national team coach Thomas Tuchel regularly picks up a club in his free time—often at the Foxhills Golf Course in Surrey.

Who is Brooks Koepka?

For soccer fans who aren’t familiar with the name Koepka: The American is considered one of the most dominant major players of his generation. He has won the U.S. Open twice—in 2017 at Erin Hills and in 2018 at Shinnecock Hills—and has three victories at the PGA Championship. A total of five major titles that place him in the same league as the sport’s greatest.

Koepka is also an avowed Manchester United fan—a preference he had already publicly flaunted before the match in Florida: At the 2024 European Championship final between England and Spain, he appeared at an event wearing a retro Three Lions jersey, infuriating Spanish golf stars Jon Rahm and Sergio García—shortly before Spain’s 2-1 victory in Berlin.

Since January 2026, Koepka has been playing on the PGA Tour again after three and a half years with the LIV Golf League. His next goals are clear: first the RBC Canadian Open, then the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills—the very course where he won his second U.S. Open title in 2018.

Golf as a Team-Building Strategy

The round together was no coincidence, but part of a deliberate philosophy by team manager Thomas Tuchel. The 52-year-old is focusing on relaxation and team cohesion in the early preparation phase, before the intensive tactical work begins in Kansas City. Tuchel wants to create an atmosphere reminiscent of the unity seen during the era under his predecessor, Gareth Southgate—with one crucial difference: this time, the goal is to win a title.

The Belgrove Resort offers ideal conditions for this: in addition to the Nicklaus course, the players can spend time with family and friends. The Florida heat was also tackled head-on—center back Dan Burn, for example, arrived a week early and took a trip with his family to Walt Disney World Resort to acclimate. “I stayed here a week early and took the kids to Disney because I wanted to get a head start. Honestly, I think that helped,” Burn said after the 1-0 friendly win against New Zealand in Tampa.

Back to soccer: 3-0 against Costa Rica

The golf break is over for now. Last Wednesday, England played the second and final friendly of their preparation phase—and didn’t miss a beat in Orlando: A clear 3-0 win over Costa Rica sends the Three Lions into the tournament with their heads held high. The dress rehearsal was a success.

On June 17, things get serious for England: In Arlington, Texas, Tuchel’s men will face Croatia in Group L. Other opponents in the group stage are Ghana (June 23) and Panama (June 27). The team’s base is in Prairie Village, Kansas; training takes place at Swope Soccer Village in Kansas City, Missouri.

Will Brooks Koepka be watching the group stage matches as a fan? Given his love for English soccer, that’s quite conceivable. In any case, his betting slip is likely already filled out.