LOS ANGELES — After three bogeys in his first six holes, Brooks Koepka played his final 12 holes at the US Open Thursday in 2-under. That didn’t make the five-time major champion feel any better.
“Just pretty flat in the beginning,” Koepka said after his 1-over 71. “Didn’t hit it good all day. Didn’t really deserve anything. I didn’t really deserve to shoot much better.”
Rickie Fowler continues his comeback tour with a record-breaking 62 at the US Open
The hottest golfer on any tour when it comes to majors, Koepka, who plays for LIV Golf, got off to a cold start with three bogeys on Nos. 1, 4 and 6. He finally settled in after six holes and finished with 10 pars and birdies at Nos. 8 and 9.
Koepka is nine shots behind Rickie Fowler and Xander Schauffele, both shooting 62, the lowest score ever at a US Open.
“Just means I got to play really well the next three days,” Koepka, the Jupiter resident, said. “Got (Friday) morning conditions hopefully it’s a little softer a little easier and play a little better.
Koepka started off his majors’ season with a runner-up at the Masters and a win at the PGA Championship. He’s in a similar spot after the first round at LA Country club as he was at the PGA at Oak Hill when he was 2-over. Koepka then played the final three rounds in 11-under.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Brooks Koepka says he didn’t deserve to shoot much better after 71 at US Open