Brooks Koepka Heats Up Fast At RBC Canadian Open

Brooks Koepka found the one thing that can turn a solid round into a statement round on Thursday.

The putter.

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Koepka opened the RBC Canadian Open with a 6-under 64 at TPC Toronto’s Osprey Course, closing with a ruthless late push that shoved him into a six-way tie for the Round 1 lead.

Emiliano Grillo, Sahith Theegala, Eric Cole, Sam Burns and Canadian Matthew Anderson also posted 64s, creating a crowded leaderboard with plenty of star power and a few U.S. Open storylines already bubbling.

For Koepka, the finish was the story. He birdied four of his final five holes, starting the surge with a 20-footer at No. 14. He added another from 10 feet at No. 17, then stuffed a wedge to 5 feet at the par-5 18th to finish the job.

That’s the version of Koepka golf fans know well: cold, aggressive and dangerous when the flatstick wakes up.

“I don’t think the ball striking was as good as it’s been as of late,” Koepka said, “but it was nice to see the putter finally heat up.”

That’s a scary sentence for the rest of the RBC Canadian Open field. Koepka has flashed good form before, including a 63 to open THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson, but he’s still looking for the kind of four-round performance that puts him firmly back in the PGA TOUR spotlight.

He isn’t the only player with something serious on the line.

Eric Cole entered the week at No. 63 in the Official World Golf Ranking, with the top 60 after this tournament earning a U.S. Open exemption.

A 64 was exactly the kind of opening punch he needed with Shinnecock Hills waiting next week.

Sam Burns also had a chance to own the lead outright after reaching the par-5 18th in two, but his eagle try slid by.

Still, Burns continues to stack strong starts after close calls at the Memorial Tournament and last year’s Canadian Open.

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TPC Toronto didn’t exactly bare its teeth Thursday. The scoring average sat at 68.5, and 97 of 147 players broke par. Tony Finau and Adam Svensson were among 12 players at 65, just one shot off the lead.

But the loudest name on the board is Koepka. And if the putter stays hot, this might not be just another good Thursday.

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