Koepka to become world No. 1

BROOKS Koepka will become world No. 1 for the first time today after the American fended off Gary Woodland to earn a four-stroke victory at the PGA Tour’s CJ Cup in South Korea.

Koepka posted a final-round of 64 at the Nine Bridges Golf Club on Jeju Island yesterday, finishing with a flourish by eagling the last hole for a combined 21-under 267 at the US$9.5-million tournament.

The 28-year-old, who won two of this year’s four majors and was named the US tour’s Player of the Year, will move up from third spot to replace Dustin Johnson as No. 1 when the latest rankings are released.

Johnson and world No. 2 Justin Rose were not playing.

Koepka said his rise to become the top-ranked player in men’s golf was the stuff dreams are made of.

“I look at where I started, my first pro start was in Switzerland and I don’t think I could have said six years later that I would be No. 1 in the world,” he said. “The world No. 1 is something I dreamed of as a kid and I don’t think this one’s going to sink in.”

Woodland (63) gave Koepka a run for his money, closing the gap with six birdies on the front nine, but his charge faltered with a bogey on 17 and he finished alone in second on 17-under.

Ryan Palmer looked well out of contention heading into the final round but a course-record 10-under 62, which included seven straight birdies to finish, gave him the clubhouse lead on 15-under before Woodland and Koepka came home. Palmer was tied for third with Spaniard Rafa Cabrera Bello (65).

Defending champion Justin Thomas, who could have prevented Koepka from moving to No. 1 with a repeat win, finished at 5-under after a 68.

The victory and No. 1 ranking has come at just the right time for Koepka, who was part of the United States team beaten handily by Europe at the Ryder Cup last month.

Koepka was also left “heartbroken” after learning that one of his tee shots at the event in Paris had struck a spectator and reportedly left her blinded in one eye.