Great intro, great recovery, bad Round 2 for Koepka at WGC-HSBC

Ah, yes, it was a lovely introduction for Brooks Koepka in Round 2 of the WGC-HSBC Champions.

But then the U.S. Open winner/PGA champion/world No. 1 hit a terrible tee shot at the par-4 first and had to play this recovery shot.

Koepka managed to escape the opening hole with a bogey, and he responded with a birdie at the par-5 second. But a double bogey-bogey finish to his front nine left him turning in 3-over 39. He made two more bogeys, along with three birdies, for an inward 35 and an overall score of 2-over 74.

Koepka, who according to The Associated Press “was frequently stretching his back and at times walking with an uncomfortable gait” on Friday, is at 2 over par for the tournament, tied for 40th place [out of 77 in the current field] and 13 shots off the lead held by Ryder Cup teammate Tony Finau.

Koepka could lose one of his accolades this week, as Justin Rose could overtake him for world No. 1. Rose is currently tied for second place, three shots back. The defending WGC-HSBC champion, who held the top spot for two weeks, needs to finish no worse than T-2 to have a shot a reclaiming world No. 1.