Tired Koepka starts Travelers with 68
CROMWELL, Conn. – Brooks Koepka was hoping to get rest after winning a second consecutive U.S. Open, but that didn’t quite work out as planned.
Regardless, a tired two-time major winner kept his commitment to play in the Travelers Championship and opened with a 2-under-par 68 on Thursday morning. Zach Johnson and Travelers defending champion Jordan Spieth have a share of the lead after shooting 7-under-par 63.
Rory McIlroy is a shot back after bogeying the 18th hole.
Spieth is trying become the second player to win the event in back-to-back years (Phil Mickelson did it in 2001-02). He’s off to a good start, leading the tournament for a second consecutive year after 18 holes with an identical 63.
Koepka did not arrive here until Wednesday afternoon, opting to enjoy a few days of rest after his victory at Shinnecock Hills on Long Island and ensuing pizza party on Sunday night.
After going to bed about 4:30 a.m., he had an early wake-up call Monday from a friend, Dustin Johnson.
“I tried to get some rest when I was back home, but we got home at about 4:30, fell asleep by 4:45,” Koepka said. “I woke up and Dustin was in my living room at 8 o’clock. He came over on the boat to say hi.
“It wasn’t as much rest as I would have liked, but it feels good to be back out playing.”
Koepka went to work on the range Wednesday afternoon but had not played the course since 2016, when he tied for ninth.
“I love this tournament. It’s fun,” Koepka said. “It’s nice to see some birdies and some red numbers.”
Starting on the back nine Thursday, Koepka had a string of four consecutive birdies. He shared the lead at 5 under with a birdie on the par-4 second hole but bogeyed the fourth and fifth.
“I’m just exhausted,” said Koepka, who was paired with Masters winner Patrick Reed and 2012 U.S. Open champion Webb Simpson. “I’m excited to go home and nap.”
It’s the first time a U.S. Open winner has played the following week since Justin Rose in 2013. Simpson also did it in 2012, when he played at the Travelers after flying cross-country from The Olympic Club in San Francisco.
“This was always on the schedule,” Koepka said, about playing at TPC River Highlands. “I had three months off at the beginning of the season (due to a wrist injury). This is the place I wanted to come. I committed to coming, so I’m not going to back out.”
Once the Travelers is over, Koepka will take a week off and head to Boston for a bachelor party.