Brooks Koepka and Max Homa Show Signs of Life at the Cognizant Classic

The field at this week’s Cognizant Classic was nothing to write home about. Sandwiched between several Signature events, most of the world’s best opted to stay home and prepare for the grueling stretch ahead. The few notable stars who did make the trip to PGA National struggled on Thursday, setting the stage for a lackluster weekend of viewing.

But to their credit, they fought back Friday morning.

Brooks Koepka, held back by poor putting in his opening round of 3-over 74, finally found his groove. He drained over 130 feet worth of putts, making his move on the front nine—the course’s back nine—posting five birdies and a bogey-free 31. On the back, he traded a birdie at four for a bogey at eight, ultimately signing for a 5-under 66.

RELATED: How to Watch the Cognizant Classic

After some quick adjustments post-Thursday, his TaylorMade Spider finally clicked. He was second in the morning wave in Strokes Gained: Putting.

“I was just cheating it yesterday, so at setup my hands were too far back,” Koepka said. “Once I got them forward, I felt like I really saw the line better and could see where it’s got to take off on the right line. They weren’t matching yesterday.”

Koepka admitted his ball-striking was sharper in round one, and if he can combine Thursday’s tee-to-green game with Friday’s putting, he could make a serious weekend move.

Max Homa mirrored Koepka’s bounce-back, also firing a 66. Starting on No. 10, he made three birdies and an eagle on the par-5 18th, then played his back nine in even par. After opening with a 73, Homa sits at 3 under for the tournament and inside the top 20.

“I don’t think I had very high expectations (today),” Homa said. “Played really well yesterday and didn’t get anything out of it, which has been the theme of the year. It was nice to make a couple putts early and get in the red early, which helped take care of some things that went wrong yesterday.”

Homa has yet to log a top-20 finish this season. With mostly unproven players between him and the lead, it’ll be interesting to see if he’s ready to pin his ears back over the weekend. The same goes for Koepka, who tied for 56th at the Farmers Insurance Open and missed the cut at the WM Phoenix Open in his first two starts.

While both have work to do, it’s refreshing to have a few fan favorites giving chase on Moving Day.