Brooks Koepka takes giant leap to World No.1 spot at The CJ Cup
Koepka in position to become World No.1 for the first time in his career.
Brooks Koepka fired a second-round 65 to move into second place in the PGA Tour's CJ Cup in South Korea on Friday, giving himself every chance of becoming World No.1 for the first time in his career.
Koepka successfully defended his US Open title this June before going on to win the US PGA Championship in August for his third career major.
As a result of his major performance, Koepka also bagged PGA Tour Player of the Year for the first time in his career.
Koepka eagled the par-5 18th en route to a 7-under 65 in the second round at Nine Bridges in Juju Island, edging him to 8-under par for the tournament and one stroke behind compatriot Scott Piercy.
''I feel like my game is in a good spot. I feel like the way I played today, if I can carry that momentum into Saturday and Sunday, it will be fun,'' Koepka, winner of the U.S. Open and the PGA Championship, said.
''My game is pretty simple. I guess you can call it like caveman golf – you see the ball, hit the ball and go find it again. You're not going to see any emotion just because I'm so focused, but I'm enjoying it.''
The four-time PGA Tour winner sits third in the world rankings but is guaranteed of becoming World No.1 with victory this week.
He can also move to No.1 with a solo second, providing Justin Thomas, currently No.4, doesn't win the tournament - which doesn't appear too likely with defending champion Thomas currently seven strokes off the pace going into the weekend.
Dustin Johnson, the current world number one, and Justin Rose, the world number two, are both absent from tournament golf this week.
Johnson and Koepka were recently rumoured to have fallen out, with Koepka reportedly saying he wanted to "flatten" Johnson at the Ryder Cup last month. Koepka denied any rift between the close friends, but US captain Jim Furyk confirmed there was a bust-up between them.
