Koepka is new world No 1 after his four-shot success in Korea
● American claims third title of season ● Morgan secures her first LET victory at the age of 44
American Brooks Koepka is the world No 1 for the first time after capping the best year of his career by adding to US Open and US PGA Championship successes with an impressive victory in the CJ Cup, a PGA Tour event held at Jeju Island in South Korea.
Koepka, who has never looked back since earning a step up to the European Tour after winning the Scottish Challenge in Aviemore in 2013, will topple Dustin Johnson as the highest-ranked player in the men’s game when the standings are updated this morning.
“To be world No 1 is something I dreamed of as a kid and I don’t think this one’s going to sink in yet,” admitted the 28-year-old Floridian in his post-round press conference after storming home in 29 for a closing 64 and a 21-under-par 267 total.
He won by four shots from compatriot Gary Woodland, who briefly shared the lead in the final round, with another American, Ryan Palmer, signing off with a ten-under-par 62 to share third position with Spaniard Rafa Cabrera Bello.
“Everything I’ve done this year it’s been working,” added Koepka. “So I don’t want to change anything. Just keep improving. I’m so excited right
0 Brooks Koepka reacts to his CJ Cup win, a success with which he toppled Dustin Johnson as No 1.
now, you have no idea. I can’t wait to go play again.”
Koepka began the day with a three-shot lead but, by the time he had reached the turn one-under for his round with three birdies and two bogeys, hehadbeenjoinedatthetopby Woodland. His fellow American had six birdies in seven holes on the front nine and four birdies in his next seven holes kept pace with Koepka, but he bogeyed the par-three 17th and, even though he gained that shot back at the last for a nine-under round of 63, his 17-under total did not
look enough to keep his rival at bay.
So it proved as Koepka chipped in from 70-feet for birdie at the 16th and holed a 25ft eagle putt at the last to card a round of 64 for a 21-under total. “I’m not somebody who’s going to panic if things go the wrong way,” added Koepka of his slow start. I felt like the one [birdie] at 15 was quite big with Gary making a charge.”
Elsewhere, Becky Morgan clinched her first professional victory at the age of 44 by winning the Hero Women’s Indian Open. The Welsh woman shot
a final round 69 to finish two shots clear of Sweden’s Caroline Hedwall at the DLF Golf and Country Club in Gurgaon.
Austrian Christine Wolf shared the lead playing the last but ran up a double-bogey, having taken a nine at the same hole in the third round on Saturday.
Morgan finished on seven under after a final round which included four birdies and only one dropped shot at the 11th. “It’s taken me 18 years and it’s a mixture of excitement and relief that finally I have done it,” she said. SHINTY/HURLING In a battling second-half display, Scotland wiped out an eight-point deficit to beat Ireland 14-12 in the Marine Harvest shinty/hurling international in Inverness.
Ireland took advantage of a strong wind at Bught Park as points from Danny Cullen (2), Damian Casey, Darragh Clinton (2) and Brian Byrne had them 6-0 ahead. When Gavin Mcgowan’s goal made it 9-0, Scotland’s hopes of a fifth successive home win looked bleak.
Kevin Bartlett’s two-pointer was the Scots’ first score but a point from Clare’s Dave Mcinerney made it 10-2 at half-time.
A couple of Bartlett two-pointers started the fightback and an exchange of points by Enda Roland, Andrew Maccuish and Jason Forde gave Ireland a 12-7 lead. Glen Mackintosh’s goal got Scotland back in it and two Greg Matheson points drew them level. With time running out, Bartlett took his tally to eight points, earning Scotland a thrilling 14-12 victory. AMERICAN FOOTBALL Los Angeles Chargers beat the Tennessee Titans 20-19 in a thrilling finish at Wembley yesterday.
Philip Rivers, pictured, put the Chargers in control with long touchdown passes to Tyrell Williams and Mike Williams at the start of each half, but the game went down to the final seconds as Tennessee scored a touchdown in the final minute.
Titans coach Mike Vrabel passed up the chance to go to overtime as he told his players to go for a two-point conversion, only to watch Marcus Mariota’s pass be tipped away by Adrian Phillips.
With this victory moving the Chargers to 5-2, a trip to the play-offs could be just the boost they need.