American keeps grip on title at Shinnecock Hills
It wasn’t quite the scintillating Sunday of golf full of drama and tension that we’ve come to expect from a Major, but hats-off to American Brooks Koepka for successfully defending his US Open title at Shinnecock Hills (14-17 June). The 28-year old from West Palm Beach, Florida held his nerve on the undulating par-70 course in Southampton, New York to clinch his second Major, one stroke ahead of Englishman Tommy Fleetwood.
Koepka had a terrific opening to his final round making three birdies in the first five holes which saw him get to level par and take the lead. Yes, your eyes do not deceive you! The leader of the US Open was just level par after 59 holes on Sunday. And that’s how the USGA (United States Golf Association) like it. Traditionally, they set-up a US Open course venue with extremely tough pin positions which, when combined with undulating and super-slick greens, and windy conditions, provide the ultimate test in golf. Well, at least that is how the theory goes.
“We are not trying to embarrass the best players, we’re trying to identify them.”
– Famous quote from Sandy Tatum, former member of the Executive Committee, USGA.
In this respect, the 2018 US Open at Shinnecock Hills was no exception. Let’s take a look at the halfway-scores. The cut came at eight-over par late on Friday evening which must have sent many a seasoned golfer, serial Major winners among them, heading for home, rather red-faced and muttering something like, “Get me out of here!” But that’s nothing new. In 2016, the axe fell at six-over at Oakmont GC. It was the year in which American Dustin Johnson finally made his Major breakthrough by winning the US Open – his first Major title. His score? Five-under par which became four-under par after the mysterious moving ball incident on the green for which he incurred a one-stroke penalty. It was much a to do about nothing, concluded many golf fans at the time. And all rather embarrassing for the USGA.
The mighty who missed the cut
Back to 2018. Among those who didn’t survive the cut were three-time Major winner, Jordan Spieth who had just one putt too many. The mighty Tiger Woods, busy with his much-anticipated comeback, missed the cut by two along with another multi-Major winner, Rory McIlroy from Northern Ireland. However, huge applause for the three amateurs who did survive the gruelling test at Shinnecock Hills. In fact, two of them, Luis Gagne from Costa Rica and American Matt Parziale ended-up sharing the honour of ‘Best Amateur’ with a score of 16-over par.
Greens as big as football fields
According to some sports fans caught zapping between the World Cup football in Russia and the US Open in America, the greens at Shinnecock Hills are “as big as football fields”. They might look big on television, but getting that little white ball into the hole across those slippery slopes is another matter. It’s incredible to realise that the course in Southampton was set up in such a way that at the start of play on Sunday not a single player was in red figures (under par)!
Koepka makes his move as Reed closes the gap
Even on the opening day of the championship only four players broke par. Dustin Johnson, Scott Piercy, Ian Poulter and Russell Henley all shot 69 on Thursday. Johnson went two better on Friday to cement his position at the top of the leaderboard. However, a 77 on ‘moving day’ cost him dearly. It was an open invitation for Brooks Koepka and Tony Finau from Salt Lake City, USA to draw level with him on Saturday and for Patrick Reed to close the gap.
Tommy Fleetwood opened with a 5-over par 75, just as Koepka had done. On day two, he fought back with a feisty 66, just as Koepka had done.
However, it was Masters Champion Patrick Reed (pictured above) who initially looked to be Koepka’s biggest threat on the final day. The American opened his challenge with a blitz of three consecutive birdies followed by three more at the 5th, 7th and 15th. After seven holes, he was just one stroke behind the leader, Koepka. However, while his attacking game plan had rewarded him with six birdies, it also cost him four bogeys. The hero of Augusta had to settle for fourth spot on 284.
Yet it was Fleetwood (pictured in full flow below) who really rallied to the cause on Sunday by closing out with a brilliant 63 and so become leader in the clubhouse on 282 (2-over).
Fleetwood shoots 63 for a place in history
Fleetwood’s iron play was sublime. Indeed, his magnificent round of 63 (7-under par) saw him steal the show. He equalled the lowest score recorded in the US Open. And, what is more, it could so easily have been a 62, or even a 61. His final putt from within about 4-5 feet on the final green just wriggled away from the hole the last few inches. Gasp! He joins an elite group of six players who have recorded a 63 in the US Open. The last player to do so being Justin Thomas in 2017.
The US Open is a stage which Fleetwood enjoys. At Erin Hills last year, the long-haired golfer from Southport was fourth which gave his European Tour season an almighty boost. The 27-year old went on to win the richly-rewarded ‘Race to Dubai Ranking’ and has continued his fine form since.
Texan Dustin Johnson struggled with his putting on Sunday, so much so that the more he looked at a putt, the less he saw the line. He finished with a round of level par for third place on 283 (3-over).
One can’t help thinking how different things might have been if Fleetwood’s last-but-one final putt had found the bottom of the cup. Safely in the clubhouse on one-over par, instead of two over, may have put some extra pressure on Koepka down the final stretch. At the very least, there could have been a play-off. Or Koepka could have crumbled leaving the Englishman to scoop the title. But, thankfully the young American kept his cool and his focus, to enjoy sweet victory in regulation play.
With this victory, Brooks Koepka has become only the seventh player to have consecutive wins in the 118-year history of the US Open. Fellow American Curtis Strange was the last back-to-back winner and that was 19 years ago back in 1988 and 1989.
Happy Father’s Day, Bob!
Traditionally, the final day of the US Open is played on Father’s Day and so it was on Sunday, 17th June that Bob Koepka proudly watched his son win the US Open Championship for the second time. Back-to-back wins which don’t exactly mirror each other. Last year, Brooks won with 16-under par at Erin Hills. Last weekend he triumphed with just one-over par at Shinnecock Hills. What a difference a year makes!
Many congratulations to you Brooks Koepka, US Open Champion, again – brilliant!
Wendy Hoad
Nice to know …
Best Europeans: Tommy Fleetwood wasn’t the only European in fine form in the 2018 US Open. And that’s definitely good news in a Ryder Cup year. Fellow Englishmen, Tyrrell Hatton (+6) and Justin Rose (+7), the 2013 US Open Champion at Merion, came T6th and T10th, respectively. Sweden’s Henrik Stenson also tied for 6th place. Just outside the top-10 in a share of 12th spot with American Zach Johnson (+8), were Russell Knox (Scotland) and Matthew Fitzpatrick (England).
Stumbling trick: Good to see American Tony Finau back on his feet after his stumble at the Masters. With rounds of 75,72,66,72 (+5), he earned himself a lot of respect (and dollars) with a 5th place at Shinnecock Hills. Well done,Tony!
Speaking of dollars: Brooks Koepka picked up a cool 2,160,000 US dollars for his latest US Open victory.
MAIN PHOTOGRAPH: Brooks Koepka splashing out of the bunker at the par 3, 11th to save bogey on his way to a second victory in the US Open.