Brooks Koepka entered the clubhouse at TPC Craig Ranch with an opening-round lead at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, carding an 8-under 63 on Thursday.
This performances marks Koepka’s best opening round since his return to the PGA Tour earlier this year — and his best opening round on tour since 2020.
The 36-year-old American golfer went bogey free, carding six birdies and one eagle on the par-5 12th. He finished his round with a +2.3 mark in strokes-gained putting, seemingly putting to rest his recent woes on the green.
The last time Koepka finished with a bogey-free 63 or better in the opening round of an event was the 2019 PGA Championship at Bethpage. That opening-round 63 gave him the cushion he needed as he went on to win the major event by two strokes, despite going four over with five back-nine bogeys in his final round.
Koepka played his first round alongside Si Woo Kim and World No. 1 golfer Scottie Scheffler, and each of the players in this marquee group put forth solid opening rounds.
Kim carded a 7-under 64, one shot behind Koepka. Scheffler also went bogey free, recording a five-under 66 to begin his CJ Cup Byron Nelson title defense.
Koepka will look to continue this positive momentum when he tees it up for his second round at TPC Craig Ranch on Friday.