GolfPlus July 2018 Digital Edition (July 2018) | Page 30

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BACK TO BROOKS!
Brooks Koepka holding the trophy
or only the third time in the post-
World War II era – and seventh
time in 118 stagings – the U.S.
Open has a repeat champion.
Brooks Koepka, who won last
year at Erin Hills by shooting
16 under par – finished 17
strokes higher at Shinnecock
Hills, but a final-round 68 was
good enough for a one-stroke
victory over Tommy Fleetwood. Koepka,
who was sidelined for four months earlier
this year due to ligament damage in his left
wrist, is the first to successfully defend his
crown since Curtis Strange 29 years ago,
and in the same state. Strange, an on-course
analyst for Fox Sports who won his second
title at Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester,
36 G o l f P l u s
JULY
2018
N.Y., was one of the first to congratulate
the 28-year-old from West Palm Beach, Fla.,
as he exited the 18th green. Koepka, now
owner of four worldwide victories and No.
9 in the world, was then greeted by his
girlfriend, Jena Sims, and other family and
friends before making his triumph official
in the scoring area. World No. 1 and 2016
champion Dustin Johnson, who along
with Koepka was one of four players who
started the final round tied for the lead
at 3 over par, mustered an even-par 70
playing alongside his good friend Koepka to
finish third at 3-over 283. Reigning Masters
champion Patrick Reed made an early run
with a first-nine 31, but came home in 37 to
finish fourth at 284. Tony Finau followed up
66 with a 2-over 72 for a fifth-place showing,
four behind Koepka.
“It sounds incredible,” said Koepka of
being a multiple U.S. Open champion. “To
be honest with you, I probably couldn’t have
dreamed of it in my wildest dreams. I’m at
a loss for words right now, but it’s really
incredible. I couldn’t be happier.”
A day after an extremely challenging
setup humbled most of the 67 players who
survived the 36-hole cut, the USGA set up
the iconic William Flynn design a bit more
conservatively. The result: the scoring
average dipped a little more than three
strokes, from 75.33 to 72.18. Fleetwood,
27, of England, who started his final round
2 hours and 23 minutes before the final
pairing of Finau and Daniel Berger teed off,
came within a whisker of registering the