'Major Hunter' Kepka "Falling Number 1"... What About the Honda Classic?

World Rankings 1st → 2nd → 3rd "Need a Turnaround", Mitchell 'Title Defense', Fowler Competes for Victory, Korea Led by Lee Kyung-hoon

'Major Hunter' Brooks Koepka aims for a 'comeback shot' at the Honda Classic.

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] World No. 3 Brooks Koepka (USA) is feeling the pressure.

On the 10th, he lost the No. 1 spot to Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland), and on the 24th, Jon Rahm (Spain) took the No. 2 position as well. Since undergoing knee surgery last October and supplementing it with stem cell treatment, he has been focusing on rehabilitation but still seems to be struggling to regain his competitive shot feel. Last month, he warmed up on the European Tour, finishing tied for 34th at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, and earlier this month, he tied for 17th at the Saudi International.

This year’s first stage of the PGA Tour, the Genesis Invitational, saw him finish tied for 43rd. That is why the Honda Classic, opening on the 27th at PGA National Golf Club (Par 70, 7,125 yards) in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, is even more important for Koepka. This tournament is especially significant as he finished tied for 2nd last year, just one stroke behind, leaving some regrets. He is challenging to achieve the "two rabbits" of a comeback to No. 1 and revenge.

It is worth noting that Koepka swept three wins last year, including successfully defending his title at the PGA Championship in May for the first time in 12 years. He is particularly strong in majors, including back-to-back US Open wins in 2017 and 2018. Of his seven career wins, four are majors, earning him the nickname "Major Hunter." His long game is world-class, with an average drive of 309 yards (10th on the PGA Tour) and an iron shot green hit rate of 69.97% (11th). Putting, averaging 1.75 putts per hole (62nd), remains a variable.

Lee Kyung-hoon challenges for his first PGA Tour victory at the Honda Classic.

Defending champion Keith Mitchell (USA) recalls the thrilling memory of making a crucial birdie on the final 18th hole (par 5) of the 4th round last year to claim his first career victory. This time, a rare record awaits him: the first back-to-back win in 42 years since the "Old Golf Emperor" Jack Nicklaus (USA, 1977?1978). Experts have named Billy Horschel (USA), Tommy Fleetwood (England), and Rickie Fowler (USA) as contenders for the title.

Fowler was the 2017 champion. Last year, he finished tied for 2nd with Koepka, leaving him hungry for more. After finishing tied for 37th at the Waste Management Phoenix Open on the 3rd while attempting to defend his title, he has been working hard to improve his short game. Viktor Hovland (Norway), who won the Puerto Rico Open on the 24th, is a dark horse. He secured his 2020 season card through the Korn Ferry (second-tier) Tour and rose to winner status in just seven events.

Korea is led by Lee Kyoung-hoon (29). Last year, he started the final day in 2nd place, just one stroke behind, but faltered with a 1-over-par round and settled for a tie for 7th. His second shot on the 14th hole (par 4) went into the water hazard, halting his momentum. Im Sung-jae (22) also surged to a tie for the lead with a 6-under-par on the second day but collapsed with a 7-over-par on the third day, dropping to a tie for 51st, a lesson he keeps in mind. An Byeong-hun (29), Kim Si-woo (25, both from CJ Logistics), and Noh Seung-yul (29) will also compete together.