McKINNEY, Texas — In advance of his first appearance in five years at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, Brooks Koepka unveiled that he was attempting to rectify putting issues that have plagued him since returning to the PGA Tour by moving to another putter, this time a Scotty Cameron Fastback 1.5.
But while good putting certainly helps to cover many ills, there’s also another formula for low scoring: hitting it close to the hole. On Thursday, the Florida State product turned TPC Craig Ranch into his personal dartboard, repeatedly stuffing approaches inside five feet and removing any real stress from the equation.
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At a venue known for yielding low numbers — especially under soft conditions — Koepka’s formula was simple and effective: take the putter out of play by never asking it to do much.
Koepka finished with a 63 to take the lead after the early wave of play.
In the wake of Scottie Scheffler’s demolition of TPC Craig Ranch — a record-tying 31-under-par total that turned last year’s tournament into a shootout — it was clear the course needed a response.
Invited, the club ownership group formerly known as ClubCorp, didn’t hesitate. They turned to architect and major champion Lanny Wadkins with a clear directive: restore some resistance, add bite, and ensure the winning number didn’t drift into the 30-under range again.
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“Invited basically said they didn’t want 30-under winning the thing anymore,” Wadkins said, recalling the brief.
His answer was simple — and confident.
“I told them, don’t worry.”
But Koepka’s round might have them worrying.
Starting off the back nine, Koepka rolled in a 17-footer for birdie No. 11 and then stuck his approach on No. 12 to 13 feet, before dropping an eagle putt. He added another birdie on No. 14, this time knocking the approach to just inside four feet.
And after the turn, he got even better, using approaches inside four feet on Nos. 5 and 6 to fuel a 63 that tied his best round since coming back to the Tour. He fired a 64 during the third round of the OneFlight Myrtle Beach Classic earlier this month, one of five top-20 finishes he’s posted in 10 starts.
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He found a bunker on No. 18 and was forced to lay up on the second shot of the 554-yard par-5, but he still managed to get to three feet and tap in for par.
“I’m driving the ball fantastic. I feel like I’m in complete control. Ever since Augusta, where we noticed the setting was at B1 and we switched it back to A1 on that driver, I can work it both ways. The flight’s very, very good. Iron play’s been fantastic,” Koepka said on Wednesday. “I know maybe last week the stats didn’t quite say that they were as good as they were, but it’s also tough. Do you get a lie in the rough, and are you able to advance it versus some of the pins last week you weren’t able to aim it.
“But I feel like I’m in complete control of my golf ball: shape, spin, trajectory, everything seems to be right where I need it to be. It’s just a matter of rolling those putts in.”
Koepka wasn’t the only one in the early wave who toyed with the course. With wet conditions, the Tour put preferred lies into effect and many in the field seized the opportunity. Emiliano Grillo and Keith Mitchell both posted rounds of 64 to sit at 7 under after the opening round of play.
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Brooks Koepka storms out with 63 at PGA Tour’s CJ Cup Byron Nelson
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