Brooks Koepka overcomes double bogey, shoots lowest round since pre-Masters

After three consecutive missed cuts, Brooks Koepka is in early contention at the Waste Management Phoenix Open.

Koepka shot 3-under 68 in the opening round at TPC Scottsdale. He’s five shots off the current lead, held by Matthew NeSmith (63).

Koepka, who has dropped to world No. 13, was 4 under through his first seven holes on Thursday, before dropping a shot at the 351-yard, par-4 17th. Koepka hit his tee shot near the front of the green at No. 17, his eighth hole of the day, but knocked his second shot over the green and into the water.

Koepka recovered with a birdie at the par-4 first, but an errant drive and a three-putt led to a double bogey at the par-4 second. He played his final seven…