Koepka ranked world No. 1 after CJ Cup win
JEJU ISLAND, REPUBLIC OF KOREA — Brooks Koepka is golf’s new No. 1 after winning the CJ Cup at Nine Bridges on Sunday by four strokes.
Koepka, who displaced Dustin Johnson for the world’s top ranking, shot a final-round 8-under 64 for a 21-under total of 267.
Koepka, who had never held the top ranking, led by four strokes after three rounds.
“To be No. 1 is something I’ve dreamed of as a kid,” Koepka said. “I don’t think this one is going to sink in.”
Gary Woodland certainly made it interesting. Woodland started the day five strokes behind Koepka, who was only 1-under after nine, but Woodland pulled level after making six birdies in seven holes on the front nine.
The two duelled on the back nine, with Woodland birdieing 15 and 16 to again pull level.
But Koepka did the same, and a bogey by Woodland on the par-3 17th gave Koepka the cushion he needed to close out the win despite a birdie on the 18th by Woodland.
The biggest moment came on the 16th. Koepka went from a fairway bunker to just left of the green, about 70 feet away. Koepka hit a chip-and-run that was stopped by the pin and dropped for the birdie.
Koepka finished in style with a 25-foot eagle putt on the 18th for a 29 on the back nine.
“I’m not somebody who’s going to panic if things go the wrong way,” Koepka said of his slow start. “I felt like the one at 15 was quite big with Gary making a charge.”
Woodland finished second after a 63. Ryan Palmer birdied his last seven holes to shoot a course-record 62 and finish in a tie for third place with Rafa Cabrera Bello (65), four strokes behind Koepka.
Woodland was happy with his final round, but looked back to a few missed birdie chances on Saturday.
“Brooks with the lead.not much fazes him,” Woodland said. “So you knew you had to make a lot of birdies and I made a lot today. I was trying to put as much pressure as I could. But just shows I was too far back to start after not making too many putts yesterday.
“I gave myself a chance, I was tied for the lead there. Brooks obviously just made some clutch shots down the stretch.”