Koepka in the hunt at Byron Nelson ahead of PGA

[May 10, 2019]  (Reuters) - Brooks Koepka did not get the luxury of seeing the full Trinity Forest layout before the opening round of the AT&T Byron Nelson in Dallas but that did not prevent him from shooting a six-under-par 65 on Thursday.

Koepka, who will defend his PGA Championship title next week, saw the back nine during a Tuesday practice round but did not get a chance to play the front nine as rain washed out the pro-am event on Wednesday.

Undaunted, the world number three took advantage of benign morning conditions to compile eight birdies that left him two shots behind American leader Denny McCarthy.

McCarthy also played in the morning on a day when the late starters battled more demanding weather in a northerly afternoon breeze.

Local hero Jordan Spieth, who next week has a chance of completing the career grand slam of all four majors, shot 68 in the afternoon.

Spieth has played the course hundreds of times and knows every subtle nuance. Not so with Koepka.

"Didn't see the front nine, so I'm pretty pleased with the way I played," Koepka said.

"It's a bit different when you're playing it blind. Kind of don't know where you're going. Relying a lot on the (yardage) book. I never look at the book."

Koepka, winner of three major titles in the past two years, is using the Byron Nelson to tune up for the PGA Championship at Bethpage next week, his preparation a contrast with most of the big names who are taking the week off.

"I just want to strike the ball well," he said. "Obviously the goal is to win but if you don't you just want to feel good leaving for next week."

Brooks Koepka plays his shot from the ninth tee during the first round of the AT&T Byron Nelson golf tournament at Trinity Forest Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports

McCarthy's 63 was even better than it might look at first glance, because he double-bogeyed his fourth hole before roaring back with 10 birdies.

"I told myself I was going to be aggressive today and I wasn't starting off," said McCarthy, making his 43rd start on the PGA Tour.

"The double-bogey helped calm me down in a way. I made a timid swing off the tee. From there on I told myself I was going to play carefree and be really be aggressive."

Australian world number 22 Marc Leishman withdrew before the round, citing a back injury.

(Reporting by Andrew Both in Cary, North Carolina; Editing by Frank Pingue/Nick Mulvenney)

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