Koepka leads at East Lake as stars get some separation
Published 8:34 pm Friday, August 23, 2019
- Brooks Koepka chips to the fourth green during the first round of the Tour Championship golf tournament Friday, Aug. 23, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis)
ATLANTA (AP) — Brooks Koepka took a one-shot lead with a two-putt birdie on the final hole Friday at the Tour Championship.
Koepka, the No. 3 seed in the FedEx Cup who started the tournament at 7-under par, had a 3-under 67 and reached 13 under in the new format where the score to par is what decides who wins the $15 million.
He was one shot ahead of Rory McIlroy and Justin Thomas, who were headed different directions when their rounds ended.
Coming off a birdie at the 17th, McIlroy sliced a 5-wood out of the trees on the 18th to set up a birdie for a 67. Thomas didn’t make a birdie on the back nine and shot 68.
Xander Schauffele made eagle on the 18th and was two shots behind.
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