Brooks Koepka, winless in more than a year, shares the lead at the French Open

By: The Associated Press Posted: 11:55 AM CDT Saturday, Sep. 20, 2025

PARIS (AP) — Five-time major champion Brooks Koepka rattled off five straight birdies on the back nine Saturday and had a 6-under 65, giving him a share of the lead in the French Open as he tries to win for the first time in more than a year.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

Read unlimited articles for free today:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 20/09/2025 (382 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Min Woo Lee shot 68 and was tied with Koepka at 11-under 202. They were one shot clear of a trio that included Michael Kim, another American in Paris during an off week on the PGA Tour.

This is Koepka’s third straight week playing on the European Tour, after missing the cut in the Irish Open and the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.

Brooks Koepka, of the United States, tees off the second hole during the second round of the Irish Open golf tournament, Friday, Sept. 5, 2025, at The K Club in Straffan, Ireland. (Brian Lawless/PA via AP)

He also missed the cut in three of the four majors this year. Koepka’s last victory was in August 2024 on the LIV Golf League at the Greenbrier in West Virginia.

“I feel like my game has been trending in the right direction,” Koepka said. “It’s the results haven’t been there. I feel a lot closer. I’m pleased with the work I’ve put in over the last few months, and nothing has shown, so hopefully got a chance to win tomorrow.”

He attributed the low round at Golf de Saint-Nom-La-Bretèche to little more than good putting. Koepka had eight birdies in the round, finishing with a bogey on the par-3 18th when he failed to get up-and-down, missing a 6-foot putt.

Lee won the Houston Open earlier this year for his first PGA Tour title, though he failed to advance beyond one week in the FedEx Cup playoffs.

Guido Migliozzi (66) of Italy and Marcus Armitage (71) of England joined Kim in the group one shot behind. Kim shot a 66.