Brooks Koepka probably shouldn't even be playing in the 2021 Masters. But the four-time major champion is indeed at Augusta, and he is grinding to stay in the hunt.

Koepka, who sustained a broken kneecap last month, put together a solid performance on the front nine. He went out with an even par score of 36. But things would get far more difficult on the back.

The 2019 Masters runner-up bogeyed the 10th hole, then followed with three consecutive bogeys on 12, 13 and 14. Koepka looked to be in danger of putting himself out of contention. However, he bounced back with two straight birdies on 15 and 16. Two pars later and Koepka was in with a 2-over score of 74.

There were serious doubts as to whether Koepka would be able to play in the Masters after undergoing knee surgery just over three weeks ago.

The procedure usually requires six months of rehab. But Koepka is playing less than a month after the fact.

Shades of Tiger Woods winning the 2008 U.S. Open with a torn ACL. Whether Koepka can achieve the same result remains to be seen.

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The 30-year-old certainly had his moments on Thursday at Augusta. But there was also evident discomfort, including a punch shot on the seventh hole where he told his caddy he couldn't make an appropriate turn to hook the ball around the tree line.

Still, Koepka is in decent shape. The course is playing firm and fast, much different than it was during the first round of the 2020 Masters last November.

It seems unlikely anyone in the afternoon groups will post a super low number, giving Koepka the chance to make up ground as the week rolls along.