Koepka comes in under the radar
TITLE RETAINED: AMERICAN REPEATS LAST YEAR’S WIN
Despite his spell of inactivity the outcome was never in doubt.
Southampton
Brooks Koepka was practically the last name on anyone’s lips at the 118th US Open on Thursday – but that didn’t matter when he hoisted the trophy for a second straight year on Sunday.
“I always feel like I’m overlooked. It doesn’t bug me. I just keep doing what I’m doing, keep plugging away,” said Koepka, who despite his defending champion status was flying under the radar at Shinnecock Hills, where Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, world No 1 Dustin Johnson and multiple major winner Rory McIlroy were generating pre-tournament buzz.
Some thought Koepka’s US Open triumph at Erin Hills last year was an anomaly – coming on a non-traditional championship venue where the wide-open fairways were easy pickings for a long-hitter like Koepka.
And since his Major breakthrough the 28-year-old had missed almost four months – including the Masters in April – with a partially torn ligament in his left wrist.
There’s no doubt now, however, that Koepka is back, and he has proved his mettle on the toughest test the US Open can offer.
After four grinding days at Shinnecock Hills – which first hosted a US Open in the 19th century – it was Koepka who topped the leaderboard with a one-overpar total.
Woods and McIlroy were long gone by then – missing the halfway cut.
Johnson, masterful in building a four-stroke lead after 36 holes, came back to the field during the brutal third round – when Mickelson underscored his irrelevance with a silly rules infraction.
As Koepka emerged from a tightly bunched field on Sunday, Johnson simply couldn’t keep pace.
Even Tommy Fleetwood with a stunning 63 couldn’t run Koepka down. –