By Matt Smith
It has been a slow burn this season for Brooks Koepka but he is finally looking something like the old self that won four majors in two years.

The 2017 and 18 US Open and 2018 and 19 PGA Championship winner has endured a tough start to life on LIV Golf, failing to break into the top 10 individual standings at any of his first four events, before a much-improved showing in Bangkok last week secured ninth place.

That upward trend continued on Friday on the opening day of LIV Golf Jeddah at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club as the 32-year-old led the field by two strokes.

“I think last week was kind of a turning point for me,” Koepka said after his eight-under 62, while pointing to the work he has been doing with his coaching team, including reuniting with Claude Harmon III. “I’ve worked pretty hard with coaches Claude, with Pete [Cowen] and Jeff [Pierce] over these last few months.

“This is the first time I’ve played back-to-back weeks since February. So it can be tough to build a rhythm. I could see it coming. I’m very pleased with it, pleased with last week, and you know, hopefully I can just put together two more good rounds.

“I went back to Claude at, I think, Bedminster, and worked with him on Saturday night for the first time in probably what, two, two-and-a-half years.”

For much of the afternoon the man breathing down Brooks’ neck in the standings was none other than Smash teammate and brother Chase, something that delighted big brother Brooks.

“It’s incredible to have him as my teammate. To have the opportunity to play with him is pretty special and pretty unique. Nobody else is out here who has got their brother with them and it’s been fun. We’ve become a lot closer because of it and it’s been special to me.

“It was cool to see his name on the leaderboard alongside mine. Who knows if that will ever happen again?.

“He’s been playing pretty solid. He’s been getting a little more confidence. I’m proud of him. So that’s all that matters.”

Koepka added that he is also feeling back to his best physically.

“By a mile,” he said. “I have had hip issues all year. I didn’t know if we were going to go under the knife or not since. So just been dealing with that. Thankfully now everything’s starting to come together, the body is coming together.

“This is the best I’ve felt in three years and now the golf swing is starting to come around. I’m excited.”

Koepka reflected that it is a shame he only has the Team Championship left to look forward to look forward before some time off at the end of the LIV Golf season.

“It kind of sucks we only have this event and Miami left, and a bunch of time off. But, it will be fine. I will just keep doing what I’m doing and try to be healthy, and if I’m healthy, I can make a golf swing where I can compete again.

“I’m excited, like I said, to be working with Claude again, and it will be interesting to see what goes on over the next couple months.”

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