In the United States, Brooks Koepka had an outstanding performance on Thursday during the initial round of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson at TPC Craig Ranch, where he achieved an impressive score of 8-under 63. This round is particularly noteworthy as it marks his best opening round since returning to the PGA Tour this year, as well as his top opening round performance on tour since the year 2020. Koepka's flawless play included six birdies and one eagle made on the par-5 12th hole. He completed the round without a single bogey, showcasing his strong game as he entered the clubhouse with the lead. His putting significantly improved, evidenced by a +2.3 mark in strokes-gained putting, indicating a strong turnaround from his previous struggles on the greens since his return to competitive golf. The last time Koepka managed to finish an opening round with a score of 63 or better without any bogeys was in 2019 at the PGA Championship held at Bethpage. At that tournament, he ultimately won by two strokes, even though he faced challenges during his final round. Koepka's performance at the CJ Cup coincides with notable equipment changes he made recently, switching to a Scotty Cameron Fastback 1.5 putter, aimed at addressing his putting issues. In the competitive atmosphere of the tournament, Koepka played alongside Si Woo Kim and World No. 1 golfer Scottie Scheffler, both delivering commendable performances themselves. Kim finished with 7-under 64, just a shot behind Koepka, while Scheffler carded a 5-under 66. As of mid-Friday morning, Koepka's outstanding play places him in a tie for third position on the leaderboard, trailing only Taylor Moore and Kensei Hirata. The tournament appears to be highly competitive, with many players under par at TPC Craig Ranch, as they all vie for the top title.