2021 Palmetto Championship: Top 10 power rankings at Congaree

Outside expectations were low for Brooks Koepka going into the PGA Championship. That’s right where he wanted them. The doubt many of us harbored wasn’t in his skill, but rather a nagging knee.

Koepka admirably fought through it at a tough walk at Kiawah Island to contend for four days. He couldn’t deny Phil’s dream tournament, settling for T-2nd. It was his third runner-up at a major to go with his four wins.

Koepka in non-majors is a whole other beast, as we know. Proceed with caution. He could maybe use more rest before Torrey Pines, but he’s a guy who often likes to play the week before a major and these will be his first reps since the PGA.

The former Florida State Seminole could very well beat up on a weak field at the Palmetto Championship where no one really has any local advantage. Plus, a win would inch No. 8 Koepka closer to his old pal, No. 5 Bryson DeChambeau, in the world rankings. DeChambeau is not in the field.

Koepka has a more balanced statistical profile than in recent seasons.

In 28 measured rounds, he’s third (1.834) on the PGA Tour in total strokes gained. That includes 10th in SG tee to green (1.362) and 16th in SG approach (.63).

He’s not been the most accurate off the tee, but his strength negates the penalty out of the rough. Look for that to come in handy next week in Torrey Pines, but not here at sandy Congaree. The wide fairways should at least help him find the short grass more. He’s 41st in proximity from the fairway (31’3”).

The Floridian is plenty familiar playing on Bermuda grass. It’s what he played on where he posted T-2nd earlier this year at the WGC-Workday Championship.

Koepka is also a winner in 2021 at the Waste Management Phoenix Open.