GolfPlus July 2018 Digital Edition (July 2018) | Page 28

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Rolex Testimonee Brooks Koepka writes history by retaining U.S. Open crown
olex Testimonee Brooks Koepka has
claimed an unforgettable victory at
the 118th U.S. Open, in a successful
title defence following his win in 2017,
ensuring his name will not only be etched
on the trophy forever, but also into the
history of this inimitable championship.
Nestled in the luxurious surroundings
of the Hamptons in New York state, the
prestigious Shinnecock Hills Golf Club
upheld the U.S. Open tradition of rewarding
extreme accuracy, and after four rounds
of competitive golf on the challenging
7,448-yard layout, Koepka’s ¿ nal score of
one-over-par, gave him a one-shot victory
in the second men’s Major of the year,
for which Rolex has been the Of¿ cial
Timekeeper since 1980. Koepka becomes
just the second golfer to successfully defend
the U.S. Open in the modern era, following
The 2018 U.S. Open Results
Brooks Koepka (+1)
Tommy Fleetwood (+2)
Dustin Johnson (+3)
Patrick Reed (+4)
Tony Finau (+5)
Rolex Testimonee U.S. Open
Champions
Arnold Palmer (1960)
Jack Nicklaus (1962, 1967, 1972, 1980)
Gary Player (1965)
Tom Watson (1982)
Curtis Strange (1988, 1989)
Tiger Woods (2000, 2002, 2008)
Retief Goosen (2001, 2004)
Martin Kaymer (2014)
Jordan Spieth (2015)
Brooks Koepka (2017, 2018)
34 G o l f P l u s
JULY
2018
in the footsteps of fellow Rolex Testimonee
Curtis Strange, who’s second victory was
also made in the Empire State, 29 years ago.
With this historic win, Koepka is now part
of an elite group of Rolex Testimonees in
addition to Curtis Strange, to have recorded
multiple U.S. Open wins, including four-
time winner Jack Nicklaus, three-time
champion Tiger Woods and two-time U.S.
Open victor, Retief Goosen. With rounds
of 75, 66 and 72, the 28-year-old Floridian
co-led the tournament going in to the ¿ nal
round, and displaying continued precision,
discipline and determination, scored ¿ ve
birdies in a ¿ nal round of 68. Following
his ¿ nal round, Brooks Koepka, said: “It’s
incredible.
I’ve looked at all these names a million
times and to have my name on this trophy is
very special. I’m truly honoured to go back-
to-back.” Having co-led at the 54-hole stage,
fellow Testimonee Daniel Berger ended the
tournament tied sixth, recording his second
career top-10 in a Major.