Brooks Koepka's Putting Struggles Define Disappointing PGA Tour Return at Torrey Pines
Brooks Koepka has delivered a characteristically blunt assessment of his performance at his first PGA Tour start of the season, pinpointing poor putting as the primary reason he remained far from contention at the Farmers Insurance Open. Despite managing to make the weekend cut, Koepka's game was clearly hampered by inconsistencies on the greens at Torrey Pines.
A Weekend of Frustration on the Greens
After posting rounds of 73, 68, and 73, Koepka barely cleared the cut line and found himself languishing well down the leaderboard, with any realistic chance of victory already out of reach. While many competitors pointed to the notoriously tricky poa annua greens at Torrey Pines as a contributing factor, Koepka made it clear that the issue was not the course conditions but rather his own execution.
Speaking candidly after his third round, Koepka admitted his putting was "all over the place." He highlighted several costly short misses and explained how confidence quickly evaporated once mistakes began to pile up. His frustration was encapsulated by a dry remark when asked about leaving the greens behind, as he joked that it "can’t get worse." This honest admission underscored his acute awareness of a recurring weakness that has repeatedly undermined his performances at this particular event.
The Statistical Reality of Koepka's Putting Woes
The numbers starkly illustrate Koepka's concerns. Among players who reached the weekend, he ranked near the bottom in strokes gained putting, losing more than six shots to the field. One particularly telling moment captured his struggles perfectly: standing 55 feet away with a potential eagle opportunity, he walked off with a bogey after a costly three-putt from inside four feet. Another hole saw him miss a short putt, leading to a double bogey that completely erased any momentum he had built.
A Recurring Challenge at Torrey Pines
Koepka's difficulties at Torrey Pines are not a new phenomenon. In his two previous appearances before this year's event, he missed the cut both times. Having been raised on Bermuda grass in Florida, Koepka has often expressed discomfort on poa annua greens, which tend to become bumpier as the day progresses. While he refuses to use this as an excuse, he acknowledged that missing a few early putts quickly drains confidence and sets a negative tone for the round.
Other top players have echoed similar complaints about poa annua greens at Torrey Pines, including Tiger Woods in past editions of this tournament. Statistical data supports this frustration, showing lower make rates on short putts for players who tee off later in the day when the greens are at their most challenging. For Koepka, this reality has once again proven costly.
Looking Ahead with Determination
Although a victory is no longer possible this week, Koepka sees value in grinding through all four rounds to gain competitive experience. With the WM Phoenix Open on the horizon, addressing his putting issues remains the clear priority if he hopes to return to contention. His performance at Torrey Pines serves as a stark reminder that even elite players must constantly refine their skills to compete at the highest level of professional golf.
