PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. — We’ve already heard how Tiger Woods has influenced a generation of younger golfers, from his swag to his work ethic. It appears Brooks Koepka is having a similar impact on 22-year-old Aaron Wise.
Koepka has taken Wise under his wing, helping the former NCAA champion with his off-course workout routine and calming his demeanor on the golf course. Wise credits his friendship with Koepka for helping him remain among the leaders entering Saturday’s third round of the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach.
Wise, the reigning PGA Rookie of the Year, backed up an opening round 5-under 66 with an even-par 71 on Friday to stand 5-under for the tournament and just four strokes behind second-round leader Gary Woodland. Among those pleased is Koepka, who is going for his third consecutive U.S. Open victory.
“Watching Aaron hit the ball is super impressive,” Koepka said earlier this week. “He’s going to be super talented when he figures it out and understands his game. I think he’s going to be a hell of a player.”
Wise was impressive in his opening round, when he rolled six birdies against just one bogey to post his best scoring round of the year. It was more of a grind Friday after a double-bogey at the par-3 seventh hole and another bogey at the ninth left him 2-over for the day.
But a round that was going sideways finished in positive fashion as Wise posted birdies on his final two holes. He made a 15-footer for a rare birdie at the famed par-3 17th and then made an 8-footer for a closing birdie at the par-5 18th.
“The hardest part of playing an Open, especially when you’re playing well and maybe not having your best day, is staying patient and not trying to force things,” Wise said. “I felt I did an amazing job. I was able to stay patient and wait for the birdies to come to me. And 17 was a huge birdie, and to get one on 18 and finish even for the day makes me feel good.”
Born in South Africa and raised in Southern California, Wise channeled his inner Koepka and shrugged off his tough start, including the double-bogey on 7.
“Things are going to happen,” Wise said. “On 7, I hit a great shot, but didn’t realize how firm the green was going to be. It went over the back. That can maybe get a few people, but I was able to let it roll off my back. I made a double there. But I was able to make some birdies coming in and get my round back to even where other people could have let that influence them.”
His influence comes from being mentored by the stoic Koepka, who is just 29 himself. The two played a practice round together on Tuesday.
“Me and Brooks have become good friends in a way and enjoy each other’s company,” Wise said. “Something I can take away from him is just his calmness. He’s literally the calmest person in the world. It’s just a calming influence.”
He has also been a physical influence. Wise has put on 20 pounds of muscle, believing he needed to bulk up to be able to compete with the stronger players on tour, such as Koepka. The results weren’t immediate. His lone top-10 finish came last November at the Mayakoba Golf Classic. But after missing the cut in his two previous U.S. Open appearances, in 2016 and 2018, Wise heads into the third round among the leaders.
“This is my first made cut in the U.S. Open,” Wise said. “I love the fact that I was able to do that. But I’m looking forward to hopefully just playing more consistent golf, maybe hitting a few more fairways, a few more greens and being able to at least post some good scores.”
With Koepka’s influence, Wise has finally arrived.