How Brooks Koepka can make Masters history this weekend

Rounds of 65 and 67 have Brooks Koepka firmly in command of the Masters Tournament.  

The four-time major champion has defied most people’s expectations by putting on something of a clinic at Augusta National so far this week.  

With only one bogey in 36 holes, the 32-year-old looks primed to add a Green Jacket to his collection and set up the prospect of completing the career grand slam at this summer’s Open Championship.  

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Not only that, he would also create a little – but significant – piece of Masters history.  

At no point in the OWGR era (est. 1986) has a player from outside the world’s top-100 claimed the Green Jacket. 

Indeed, the lowest-ranked golfer to do so was Angel Cabrera. The incarcerated Argentine was 69th when he prevailed in 2009. 

Currently, Koepka is 118th on the world rankings.  

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That may well be somewhat of a false position, considering that he doesn’t currently get OWGR points for playing on the LIV Golf League where he has won twice in the past six months, including last weekend in Orlando. 

This time last year, indeed, he was 16th on the OWGR and, as recently as February 2020, was world No.1. To date, he has spent a total of 47 weeks atop the standings.  

14 pars. Three birdies. One eagle. #themasters pic.twitter.com/mrBr6L1j82

— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 7, 2023

World rankings of recent Masters champions 

2006 – Phil Mickelson – 4th  

2007 – Zach Johnson – 56th 

2008 – Trevor Immelman – 29th 

2009 – Angel Cabrera – 69th 

2010 – Phil Mickelson – 3rd 

2011 – Charl Schwartzel – 29th 

2012 – Bubba Watson – 16th 

2013 – Adam Scott – 7th 

2014 – Bubba Watson – 12th  

2015 – Jordan Spieth – 4th 

2016 – Danny Willett – 12th 

2017 – Sergio Garcia – 11th 

2018 – Patrick Reed – 24th  

2019 – Tiger Woods – 12th  

2020 – Dustin Johnson – 1st  

2021 – Hideki Matsuyama 25th  

2022 – Scottie Scheffler – 1st