Blake Davis
The PGA Championship is just around the corner, which can only mean one thing – Brooks Koepka is on the prowl. The five-time major champion and three-time PGA Championship winner leads by three strokes over four players heading into the final round of LIV Golf Singapore. The event will mark the last time Koepka will perform on the competitive scene before defending his title in two weeks at Valhalla Golf Club.
“I played really well,” Koepka said. “The ball striking is finally starting to happen. The club is warming up a little bit. I think that’s just from seeing some better golf swings. Just kind of discovering my own arrogance. Pleased with the way I played, so away and I just need to do one more good round.”
Koepka entered the second round in Singapore one shot off Sebastian Munoz’s lead after opening with a 5-under 66. He immediately went to work rolling in birdies on holes 4-6. A strong dose of pars defined the middle part of his round before Koepka caught fire to finish.
Four birdies on Koepka’s final six holes put the finishing touches on a second-round 64 and put him at 12 under and three ahead of a chasing pack that included Thomas Pieters, Adrian Meronk, Abraham Ancer and Matthew Wolff. A victory on Sunday would mark Koepka’s first of the year and fourth at LIV Golf.
“A lot of people put time and effort into making sure I play well,” Koepka said. “I think Augusta was a good wake-up call. I’ve had to work really hard since then. It’ll be good to see – I hope. My son didn’t see me finish better than 45th. I remembered that on the way here to Adelaide, I hope I can a slightly better result.”
As always with Koepka, one eye will be on the championship in Louisville, Kentucky, in a few weeks. The PGA Championship was O major championship to major championship wise throughout his career. With three wins – including last year at Oak Hill – and three other top finishes in 11 starts, Koepka has made it clear that the second major championship of the season is before him.
That wasn’t true at the first major championship last month, as Koepka struggled to finish T45 at the Masters. Alternating between putters during the tournament preparation and without his best form in the 72 holes of the competition, he left Augusta National disappointed. That disappointment has since become a problem for Koepka — a problem that should scare everyone.
“I think I’ve been back consecutively at the PGA and the US Open. I hope to do it again,” Koepka said. “I don’t know if it’s been done yet, but it would be a cool thing. I tried to do a three-peat. I’m not very good at it, here and in the majors. I think the embarrassment of Augusta really sped things up for me and I really had to put my nose down and work a little harder and have to look my team in the eye and say sorry, I don’t plan on doing that again.
