Saudi International: Power ranking the top 10 at Royal Greens

KING ABDULLAH ECONOMIC CITY, SAUDI ARABIA - JANUARY 29: A general view of the first tee during a practice round prior to the Saudi International at the Royal Greens Golf and Country Club on January 29, 2019 in King Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images) /

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KING ABDULLAH ECONOMIC CITY, SAUDI ARABIA – JANUARY 29: Brooks Koepka of the United States talking to the press prior to the Saudi International at the Royal Greens Golf & Country Club on January 29, 2019 in King Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images) /

Brooks Koepka was a former European Tour member who came up through the tour before returning home to the U.S. and the PGA Tour. It’s not too surprising to see him sprout up at a Euro Tour event from time to time, though it is a bit puzzling that he’s eschewing the Phoenix Open where he’s a former champ.

This will be Koepka’s second straight Euro Tour event. He finished T9 at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship a couple weeks ago and spent last week relaxing in the Maldives on vacation.

This will be the 28-year-old’s third start of 2019. He debuted with a 24th at the PGA Tour’s Tournament of Champions.

He last won at the CJ Cup in the fall. He’s made his last six cuts and 24 of his last 25.

Last season’s PGA Tour player of the year finished 19th in strokes gained tee to green and Royal Greens seems like another layout where good ball striking can win out.

Koepka was also 15th in par-4 scoring and eighth in par breakers. Odds are this will be a tournament that requires a winning score around 20-under and BK is certainly capable of going that low.

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