Big first round for Koepka at PGA

Brooks Koepka delivered a 7-under 63 on May 16, making him the first player in 101 years of the PGA Championship to shoot that score twice. He broke the course record at Bethpage Black.

FARMINGDALE, N.Y. >> Brooks Koepka delivered on the biggest stage again, this time with Tiger Woods at his side. At times overlooked even after winning three majors in the last two years, Koepka gave thousands of fans a round to remember May 16 at brawny Bethpage Black with a record-setting start to his title defense in the PGA Championship. He had a 7-under 63, making him the first player in 101 years of the PGA Championship to shoot that score twice. He broke the course record at Bethpage Black and became the first player to post 63 at a major in consecutive years. “That was one of the best rounds I’ve played probably as a professional,” Koepka said. “This golf course is brutal.” Danny Lee was nearly as impressive and made eight birdies in the afternoon, including the final two holes. He finished with a 64 to close the gap to one shot, exceeding his own expectations. “My mindset was honestly some kind of underpar round would be good,” Lee said. “I did a lot better than that today.” That wasn’t the case for Woods, who had not played Bethpage Black since his nine-hole practice round May 13, and had not played a tournament since he won the Masters. He opened with a pair of double bogeys on the back nine and ruined a torrid start to the front nine — two birdies and a 30-foot eagle in a four-hole stretch — with a pair of three-putt bogeys. That gave him a 72, leaving him nine shots behind and ending 12 consecutive rounds at par or better in the majors dating to the U.S. Open last summer. Make no mistake: A gallery that trudged through muddied walkways to the 10th tee in the early morning was there primarily for Woods, who created a new era of Tigermania with his stirring comeback following four back surgeries to win a 15th major. What they saw was a major performance. Just not from him. So special was Koepka’s round, even on a course still soft from rain earlier in the week, that only 16 players broke par. He was 10 shots better than the average score in the opening round. Tommy Fleetwood had a 67, while the group at 68 included Pat Perez, who played a practice round with Koepka on May 14. Jordan Spieth overcame a double bogey on the 10th hole for a 69 and was in a group that included Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, Rickie Fowler and Jason Day. “The course is not easy, but Brooks obviously made it look real easy,” Perez said. “I saw that on Tuesday when I played with him. I actually congratulated him on his win.” But it’s far from over, even before Lee made his afternoon move to cut into the lead. Fowler was bemused when asked how close he would have to be to Koepka heading into the final round May 19. “What makes you think he’s going to be leading?” Fowler said.

JULIO CORTEZ — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Tiger Woods, left, and Brooks Koepka walk to the 14th fairway during the first round of the PGA Championship on May 16 at Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, N.Y.