After three consecutive cuts, Brooks Koepka is in early controversy at the Waste Management Open.
Koepka fired 3-under 68 in the opening round at TPC Scottsdale. It’s five beats from the usual lead, held by Matthew NeSmith (63).
Koepka, who has fallen to the No. 13 world, was 4 under his first seven holes Thursday, before firing a shot at the 351-yard, par-4 17th. Koepka hit his tee bullet near the front of the green at No. 17, his eighth hole of the day, but hit his second shot over the green and into the water.
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Koepka got over with a birdie at the first par-4, but caused an errant scratch and a double bogey three-putt at the second par-4. He played his last seven holes in 1 under for his lowest round in his last 11 games.
“I did a little better, I made a few changes to that. It works. I beat it well. Just hit him terribly [No.] 2 and I finished in the worst possible place, ”said Koepka.
“At 17, it looks like there was some rain on the ball, so there was no spinning, no inspection, but that will happen. But you have to avoid the three-putt and the double [on No. 2]. ”
Koepka comes off a piece of three missed cuts, the first time he performed that suspicious act. The streak coincides with the departure of coach Claude Harmon III, with whom he parted after the November Masters.
When asked if he works with anyone on Thursday, Koepka replied: “No one.”
“I kick ideas off Pete [Cowan]. I kick ideas off Butch [Harmon]. I have said that before. There aren’t many, ”said Koepka. “I don’t need as much coaching. Me and Claude, we only worked on a few things. Pretty much still working on those things. It’s not like nothing has changed. ”