Brooks Koepka likes Memphis.
“It’s a position I don’t fondly forget,” the sixth-world golfer said Wednesday before the opening of his WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational name defense. “St. Jude, it has been a special position in my heart. FedEx is here. It’s an exciting week to be a member of the PGA Tour. But going back and protect is Array, I guess, that position I was excited about and I can don’t wait to get there.
Koepka’s enthusiasm for returning to TPC Southwind became soft on Thursday. After sailing to victory in 2019, the 30-year-old driver returned to the driver’s seat from the start. For the first time in his career, Koepka opened a inning with 4 consecutive birdies.
Koepka, who showed no adverse effects from persistent knee pain that may require off-season surgery and miss the cut at last week’s 3M tournament, threw in the first round, making a single shot with nine birdies in the first 16 holes.
Nine birdies are the most he’s done in a PGA Tour since the 2017 BMW Championship. A couple of potential putts for the eagle that they would have taken a step further failed.
Koepka, who shot an 8-low 62 at the most sensible table, Viktor Hovland and Patrick Reed will begin their moment circular at 7.40am on Friday at No. 10. Koepka tied the lowest score of his career on the PGA Tour. with his first circular.
Rickie Fowler tied for the second best feature of the day, with a 6 bass 64. Brendon Todd also finished 6 bass. It is an encouraging feature for Fowler, who entered the tournament after not being cut into five of his last nine outings and in three of his five appearances since taking over the PGA Tour in June.
“I hate the lack of cuts, I especially would have liked a smart day and a little day off that would keep me from making cuts or stop me,” Fowler said. “Today was a build-up of paintings last week and I just got lost and simplified my mind and just played golf than the paintings on the course. I was able to make a lot of smart paintings with the putter last week and go back to better positions to release the putter. I was doing a lot of putts, I was a little tense about it, so it’s great to see things worthwhile.
TPC Southwind is not so good for Fowler on its last stopover in Bluff City. He missed the cup at the 2017 tournament, when it became known as the FedEx St.Jude Classic. Although he skipped last year’s occasion and didn’t play well the year before, he said he was happy to return.
“I feel like it’s a wonderful course, ” said Fowler. “Some of that has been similar to the time and place where it fell and some of the occasions when I want to play or want to play. But I’m happy to be back. This course will distinguish you if you don’t make him hit the ball where and what distance and the right line. So yes, it’s very satisfying to pass out on a golf course like this and have a smart start.
The start times of the circular of the moment have been postponed for Thursday’s circular halfway.
The PGA Tour announced that the first teams would start at 7 a.m. on Friday, which originally kicked off at 11 a.m., due to the inclement weather expected in Memphis’ dominance later in the day.
The final teams will start at 9:00 a.m.
While Koepka, Fowler, Justin Thomas (66) and Phil Mickelson (67) each had strong performances, there were other high-profile golfers who did not fare as well.
Rory McIlroy, ranked at the time in the official world golf ranking, needed birds in two of his last 3 holes to get a 73 above 3. Three of McIlroy’s five bogeys came 4-6. It’s the consecutive lackluster circular moment for McIlroy, who fired 78 in the memorial’s final circular.
Patrick Cantlay, the global No.10, tied McIlroy in three issues. Tyrrell Hatton, the golfer who ranked 14th in the world rankings, controlled two problems above, as did No. 12 Tommy Fleetwood.
Favourite lies, which give golfers the chance to position without penalty, were allowed after the rain prevented the course team from cutting the streets after Wednesday’s practice round.
Contact Jason Munz sports on [email protected] or Twitter @munzly.