WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. — After a recent spell of self-scouting, Kevin Kisner realized he isn’t sure how best to approach major tournaments.
The 33-year-old stands eighth in the FedEx Cup standings, ranks 24th worldwide and has earned $3.7 million this year, potentially signaling a career in its prime.
Except he hasn’t fared well in majors, something he’d like to change in two weeks at the British Open. Rather than laying low and practicing, he’s aiming to build competitive momentum at the Greenbrier Classic and then the John Deer before tackling Royal Birkdale.
“I haven’t figured out my style yet,” Kisner said Wednesday. “I’ve only been playing majors for three years now. Still trying to figure out if I play better playing into them or taking a week off.
“I think in the future I’ll keep playing into them. See if that works better.”
Through 10 starts at majors, he has missed three cuts and averaged a 41st-place finish in the others. This year he settle for 43rd at the Masters and 58th at the U.S. Open.
Kisner claimed the Dean & Deluca Invitational in May for his second career win. He challenged for the Greenbrier title in 2015 but lost to Danny Lee in a four-way playoff after overshooting the 18th green and encountering a wicked lie on the back hill.
“I still don’t think I finished the hole,” he said. “I whiffed it twice and then barely got it out on the green. Then I decided to let everybody else have their turn.
“I won’t get that lie again this year, I can promise you, because they’ve changed all that.”
Several facets of the Old White TPC changed after last year’s brutal floods, included new sodding on all the greens. When play opens Thursday, those subtleties could become determining factors.