Koepka Puts Scheffler on Notice at Byron Nelson

Brooks Koepka didn’t just show up at THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson. He kicked the door open.

The five-time major champion fired an 8-under 63 Thursday at the revamped TPC Craig Ranch, putting himself right in the middle of the Round 1 fight outside Dallas.

READ MORE: Taylor Moore Leads Nelson After Round 1 as Brooks Koepka Challenges

Taylor Moore eventually stole the top spot with a 9-under 62, the best PGA TOUR round of his career, but Koepka’s charge was the one that turned heads.

Why? Because this looked like vintage Koepka.

Koepka eagled the par-5 12th, got to 4 under through five holes and then ripped off four birdies in a five-hole stretch on his second nine. He finished bogey-free and one shot behind Moore, tied with Jesper Svensson at 8 under.

“It was just a comfortable group,” Koepka said. “Everyone is just kind of feeding off each other, easy. Everyone’s having fun. Makes it enjoyable. I feel comfortable on the golf course as well.”

That group included world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and Si Woo Kim, and Koepka made even Scheffler feel like he was chasing from the start.

“I felt like I was getting lapped out there for a little bit,” Scheffler said.

Scheffler, the defending champion, shot 5-under 66 after birdieing three of his final five holes. It wasn’t the same opening hammer he threw last year, when he led wire-to-wire and won by eight at 31 under, but it kept him close enough to matter.

“I was fortunate to make a couple birdies late in the round and keep myself in the tournament,” Scheffler said.

Kim was even sharper, posting a 7-under 64 despite one bogey. He joined Emiliano Grillo, Keith Mitchell, Stephan Jaeger, Michael Thorbjornsen, Tyler Duncan and Kensei Hirata in the pack at 7 under.

READ MORE: Brooks Koepka’s New Putter Sparks Byron Nelson Surge

For Koepka, the bigger story is what this could mean. He’s trying to win for the first time since returning to the PGA TOUR, while also pushing toward Signature Event access through the Aon Next 10 standings.

“I feel like I’m knocking on the door, and I’m very, very close,” Koepka said.

Thursday felt like more than a hot start. It felt like a warning.

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