LOS ANGELES — Brooks Koepka made the cut at the 2023 U.S. Open by shooting a 1-under 69 Friday to get to even par, bur that does not mean the five-time major champion is looking forward to playing two more rounds at the Los Angeles Country Club.
In fact, do not look for Koepka in any future promotional spots for the exclusive course set between Beverly Hills and Westwood.
“I’m not a huge fan of this place,” he said Friday. “I just think that there’s a … I’m not a huge fan of blind tee shots, and then I think there’s just some spots that no matter what you hit, the ball just ends up in the same spot.
“I won majors on golf courses that I haven’t really liked too much. But, yeah, this one, I don’t know, it’s just … it’s not my favorite.”
U.S. Open: Leaderboard, tee times, hole-by-hole
Koepka never was really in danger of becoming the biggest surprise to miss the cut at the U.S. Open, but he has a lot of work to do on the weekend if he wants to get into contention. He was nine shots off the lead when his round ended and the afternoon wave was teeing off.
Koepka was not happy with his opening round but felt he played better Friday. The difference is missing some shots in spots you just can’t miss.
“Like on 9 missing it in the only spot you can’t miss it on,” he said. “Just some little stuff like that. Scoring holes. Irons off the tee, I hit in the rough.
“That’s been quite frustrating, just little dumb stuff like that.”
Koepka got back to even par for the tournament with a birdie on No. 10, his first hole of the day. But he never was able to put together a string of birdies. He gave back a shot on No. 12, birdied No. 1 and then alternated birdies and bogeys his last four holes.
“I got to play two good rounds, so that’s something I have to do,” Koepka said. “But definitely would like to be further up from where I’m at.”
Koepka is looking to continue his hot streak at the majors after finishing runner-up at the Masters and taking home the Wanamaker Trophy last month at the PGA Championship.