Returning PGA Tour star Brooks Koepka has pulled off one of many pictures of the match within the third spherical of the Farmers Insurance coverage Open at Torrey Pines.
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Koepka made the minimize in his first occasion since rejoining the PGA Tour, however received’t be difficult the winner as he’s in a tie for 61st on the conclusion of Spherical 3.
At -2, he’s 19 pictures behind runaway chief Justin Rose (-21), who fired seven birdies in one other dominant show on Torrey Pines’ formidable South Course on Saturday.
The 45-year-old bought off to a blistering begin and held his nerve on Torrey’s testing again 9 to construct a 54-holetotal of 21-under par 195.
“I assumed that was the spherical of the week from tee to inexperienced anyway,” mentioned Rose, whose 12 US tour titles embrace a 2019 triumph at Torrey.
He led by as eight pictures and completed the day six strokes in entrance of American Joel Dahmen, who had 5 birdies and a bogeyin his 68 for 201.
Japan’s Ryo Hisatsune and South Korean Kim Si-woo shared third on 203, Hisatsune posting a 68 and Kim a 69.
Whereas Koepka received’t be selecting up a fairytale winners’ cheque in his Tour return, he supplied the day’s spotlight when he hit a six iron off a cart path and thru the timber to inside ten toes of the outlet.
“Oh my goodness, sparks are flying,” broadcaster Jim Nantz reacted.
Koepka, one of many highest-profile gamers to leap to the divisive LIV league, introduced in December he would depart the Saudi-backed circuit, and his return to the PGA Tour was facilitated by a brand new program for returning gamers that features limitations on eligibility for some high occasions in addition to monetary penalties.
The US star once more drew heat, supportive galleries, however his struggles on the greens included a double bogey at his second gap, the eleventh, the place he three-putted from 4 toes.
“You simply miss a number of and also you’ve bought zero confidence,” Koepka mentioned.
“I’m simply going to chalk it as much as only a unhealthy day, however I’m pleased with every thing else.”
In a candid chat post-round on the CBS broadcast, Koepka admitted he didn’t understand how the group would acknowledge him in his return to the Tour.
“I don’t know what I anticipated however that is past what I may’ve dreamed of. It’s (the response from the followers) has been overwhelming,” Koepka mentioned.
“I used to be nervous. It was a bit bizarre however when you get a number of holes in, you get again into the consolation zone and every thing appears like regular once more.