The only thing that’s held back Brooks Koepka this year has been the putter, but it looks like he’s turned a corner at the RBC Canadian Open.
We’ve seen flashes from Brooks Koepka over the last few months, but the flat-stick has held him back from getting into contention on a Sunday. However, if the first two rounds of the RBC Canadian Open are a sign of things to come, it won’t take long for Koepka to get back in the winner’s circle.
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For the season, the five-time major champion is ranked sixth in Strokes Gained: Tee to Green, fourth in SG: Approach, second in greens in regulation, and 13th in proximity. Long story short, he’s been striping it all year. But sitting at 136th in SG: Putting isn’t going to get it done.
Maybe it’s the fresh air of the Great White North or finally settling in with the new putter he put in the bag prior to THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson, but Koepka is rolling it on the greens of TPC Toronto.
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During Thursday’s opening round, Koepka poured in 107 feet worth of putts and eight birdies to sign for a 6-under 64, good enough for a share of the 18-hole lead.
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“It was nice to see the putter finally heat up,” Koepka said Thursday night. “It’s just the putting that’s held me back and trying to be mechanical, trying to be maybe too much in the stroke and figure everything out. But it was nice today to at least kind of turn the brain off and go from there.”
His heater continued Friday morning with a 27-foot birdie make on the par-3 11th, his second hole of the day. In all, Koepka made nearly 113 feet of putts, four birdies, and an eagle to post a 2-under 68—the scorecard was a little bit of a roller coaster.
“I feel really close,” Koepka said after his second round. “The ball striking probably hasn’t been what I would say it’s been all year. Driving it as well, maybe not as great this week. The putting has been great. So I’m happy with it, I’m excited, and hopefully it continues this week.”
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I don’t want to look ahead, because it feels like Koepka will have a real chance to win in Canada come Sunday, but as I’m sure you all know, next week’s U.S. Open is being held at Shinnecock Hills, the site of his second major title in 2018. It feels like the stars are aligning for him to tie Rory McIlroy with six majors.
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Regardless of what happens over the weekend, it’s nice to see Koepka back in the thick of things and seemingly peaking just at the right time.
