Koepka is new No. 1 in world
Brooks Koepka is golf ’s new No. 1 after winning the CJ Cup by four strokes Sunday at Jeju Island, South Korea.
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
“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.”
It has been quite a year for Koepka, who repeated as U.S. Open champion, won the PGA Championship and was named the PGA Tour Player of the Year.
Koepka is the third player this year to reach No. 1 for the first time, joining Justin Rose and Justin Thomas. The last time that happened was in 1997, when Ernie Els, Tom Lehman and Tiger Woods each rose to No. 1.
Gary Woodland certainly made it interesting. Woodland started the day five strokes behind Koepka but pulled even after making six birdies in seven holes on the front nine and the two dueled on the back nine, with Woodland finishing with a 63 and second place.
Koepka finished in style with a 25-foot eagle putt on the 18th for a 29 on the back nine. Briefly: Danielle Kang shot a 3-under 69 to win the LPGA Shanghai at 13-under 275 for her second career title, holding off a late charge by Lydia Ko (66), who finished two strokes behind . ... Woody Austin shot a 3-under 69 to hold off defending tournament championBernhard Langer (70) for a onestroke victory at 11-under in the PGA Tour Champions’ playoffopening Dominion Energy Charity Classic in Richmond, Va . ... Sergio Garcia was on course to win a third Andalucia Valderrama Masters when play was suspended because of heavy rain and the threat of lightning in Sotogrande, Spain.