Koepka: 'I've got a chance' entering weekend at U.S. Open
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PEBBLE BEACH, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 14: Brooks Koepka of the United States plays a shot from the 13th tee during the second round of the 2019 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links on June 14, 2019 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. – A post-round practice session is common for Brooks Koepka. He even had one after the second round of the PGA Championship, where he shot the lowest score in major history and held a seven-shot lead.
“We’re going straight to the range. I’m not hitting it that good,” Koepka told swing instructor Claude Harmon as he walked to the scoring trailer. Koepka was about to sign for a second-round 65 that followed his first-round 63, but he still found fault in his game.
Koepka said he was going to skip the range Friday, though. He was three shots behind Justin Rose after shooting consecutive 69s, but Koepka hasn’t found Pebble Beach’s practice facility to his liking. The wind blows from the wrong direction and the turf is too firm. That led to bad habits that caused him to hit the ball thin.
“I struck it so poorly Monday and Wednesday,” said Koepka, who ranks third in this season’s FedExCup. “I wasn't playing good. It’s been nice to kind of find some confidence, especially on the golf course.
“It’s been easier to find my game on the golf course. I feel like I can really hit down on the ball, come in a little bit steeper than on the range.”
Koepka’s success in majors in uncanny. No matter the circumstances, he finds a way to contend. He’s won on a variety of courses and in different ways. Four victories in his last eight majors mean his name appears on any leaderboard in bold font.
“He's a threat,” Rose said.
Especially when he’s hitting the ball well. Koepka hit 12 fairways and 15 greens Friday. He’s hit 75% of the greens this week. Now he’s just waiting for his putter to heat up. He had 32 putts Friday.
“I feel great. I'm excited. I've got a chance,” he said. “That's all you can ask for. I just need to make a few putts. Sometimes the hole just needs to open up.”
If it does, Koepka could go home with his third straight U.S. Open.
Sean Martin manages PGATOUR.COM’s staff of writers as the Lead, Editorial. He covered all levels of competitive golf at Golfweek Magazine for seven years, including tournaments on four continents, before coming to the PGA TOUR in 2013. Follow Sean Martin on Twitter.