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2021 US Open: Top 10 power rankings at Torrey Pines

By Mike Randleman

Jan 30, 2021; San Diego, California, USA; A detailed view of the south course map adjacent to the first tee during the third round of the Farmers Insurance Open golf tournament at Torrey Pines Municipal Golf Course. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 30, 2021; San Diego, California, USA; A detailed view of the south course map adjacent to the first tee during the third round of the Farmers Insurance Open golf tournament at Torrey Pines Municipal Golf Course. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 28, 2021; San Diego, California, USA; Brooks Koepka looks on during the first round of the Farmers Insurance Open golf tournament at Torrey Pines Municipal Golf South Course. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 28, 2021; San Diego, California, USA; Brooks Koepka looks on during the first round of the Farmers Insurance Open golf tournament at Torrey Pines Municipal Golf South Course. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /

Brooks Koepka is a master of the spin zone at PGA Tour events. If he fails, especially before a major, he can point to how he can’t focus. How his sights are already on the big stage. When you’ve got four majors before turning 30, I suppose you can get away with it.

But if he wins or plays well, the check still cashes and he reaps all the FedEx Cup and world ranking points.

Koepka has come to majors in varying stages of health and performance levels. Starting with his health, the knee appears to be strengthening. It still won’t be 100% through the major championship season, but that didn’t stop him from contending at the PGA Championship.

If not for a miraculous effort by 50-year-old Phil Mickelson, it could have been a hobbled Brooks Koepka hoisting (or bench pressing) the Wanamaker Trophy. BK settled for T-2nd.

It’s clear he thrives on tough courses. The former Florida State Seminole has made 25 cuts in 28 career major starts. Half have ended in top-10s, including 11 top-fives and three second-places.

Koepka’s a two-time U.S. Open champion going back to back in 2017 at Erin Hills and 2018 at Shinnecock Hills.

I wonder if he’s petitioning to rename this week’s venue Torrey Pine Hills.

Koepka is in La Jolla for the fourth time. He made the cut and finished T-41st in his Farmers Insurance Open debut in 2015. He didn’t play from 2018-2020 and missed the cut in 2021.

The 31-year-old Floridian ranks 18th on the PGA Tour in strokes gained off the tee (.531) and 14th in SG approach (.652). Koepka will be licking his chops at a bomber’s venue like this. He’s 16th in driving distance (308.7) and 18th in par-5 scoring (4.55).

When clicking, Koepka has all the tools. He’s second in sand saves (66.67%) and top-50 in SG putting.

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