Former world No. 1 Koepka grabs one-shot WGC-Workday lead

MIAMI: Four-time major champion Brooks Koepka fired seven birdies in a six-under par 66 on Friday to seize a one-shot second-round lead in the World Golf Championships-Workday Championship.

The former world number one, seeking his second win this month after finally putting nagging knee and hip injuries behind him, had an 11-under par total of 133 at Concession Golf Club in Bradenton, Florida, which is hosting the event after coronavirus logistical problems forced the move of the WGCMexico.

The three players on his tail at 10-under included reigning PGA Champion Collin Morikawa, who nabbed nine birdies in an impressive eight-under par 64.

He was joined on 134 by Australian Cameron Smith, who posted a 66, and American Billy Horschel, who signed for a 67.

It was a further stroke back to overnight co-leaders Matthew Fitzpatrick of England and former US Open champion Webb Simpson and American Tony Finau.

Koepka's three front-nine birdies included a 21-footer at the eighth. At the par-four 12th his shot from the rough surrounding a bunker landed within five feet of the pin and he made that for birdie.

He seized the solo lead with back-to-back birdies at 15 and 16 -- where his approach nearly dropped and left him a tap-in for birdie.

Koepka pushed his lead to two strokes with a birdie at 17, but he gave a shot back with his first bogey of the day at 18, where he missed the green and couldn't get a 13-foot par-saving putt to drop.

"I've had a good game plan," Koepka said. "I don't hit that many drivers around here, a lot of three-woods and just try to put it in the fairway."

Morikawa climbed into contention with a sparkling performance on the greens that included a 37-foot birdie at the 18th -- his ninth hole of the day.

He followed with a five-foot birdie at the first, fired out of a greenside bunker to four feet for a birdie at the third and rolled in a two-foot birdie at the fifth.

After another five-foot birdie a the seventh, he rapped in a ninefoot birdie at the ninth.

- AFP photo Brooks Koepka of the United States plays his shot from the 15th tee during the second round of World Golf Championships-Workday Championship at The Concession in Bradenton, Florida.