KOEPKA’S CONDITION REMAINS IN DOUBT

Brooks Koepka spent a good amount of time on the driving range Monday, as he continues to ramp up for the Masters less than a month after needing knee surgery.

The good news, from his coach Pete Cowen, is that Koepka’s swing is fine.

The to-be-determined part of the equation is how the fourtime major winner will be able to navigate the 4-mile hike that is Augusta National — a course that is daunting for many reasons, steep hills and slopes relatively high on that list.

“He’s in great shape,” Cowen said. “The only problem is going to be the walking. It’s a tough course to walk.”

The champ

Reigning Masters champion Dustin Johnson played nine holes Monday, then headed to the range and practice green to focus primarily on chipping and putting.

His early assessment: Augusta National is ready, and it should present a different challenge from the one he conquered in November.

“It’s in really good shape,” Johnson said. “The golf course, I think, is right where they want it to be on a Monday.”

The course was soft for much of last year’s first-ever fall Masters after a good amount of rain. There is some precipitation in this year’s forecast, but players who were on the course Sunday and Monday are finding it in the customary fast and firm state.

“The conditions are quite a bit different,” Johnson said. “The weather, it had just rained a bunch in November. It was soft and played really long. This time, instead of it landing and stopping, it just might bounce a little bit.”

San Diegans fare well

Two girls from San Diego County had high finishes Sunday in the Drive, Chip & Putt National Finals here. Jessica Hudson of San Marcos tied for second in the Girls 10-11 division and Lucy Yuan of San Diego placed second in Girls 12-13.