Fleetwood & Koepka on course for a Major battle in New York
FOR the second consecutive Major on Long Island, Tommy Fleetwood is chasing Brooks Koepka.
But the bad news for the Englishman is the American is even better than when he won the US Open up the road at Shinnecock Hills last year.
New York fans came out in their thousands to see Tiger Woods yesterday, yet the only Tiger-like display came from the world No.3, who is threatening to dominate golf like his fellow American in his heyday.
Sir Nick Faldo was right in predicting that the beast of Bethpage Black would be too tough for Tiger.
And although defending champion Koepka was the favourite for the second Major of the year, few could have foreseen him dismantling this fearsome track in such devastating style. His 30-foot birdie putt on his last hole for a 63 saw him become the first man ever to shoot two 63s at the USPGA after his same second round score at Bellerive last August. Only Branden Grace at the 2017 Open has ever shot a lower round at a Major.
“My putter got hot – it was a crazy day,” said Koepka. Yet this one-man demolition job was even more remarkable because it could have been lower. Much lower.
“I left a few shots out there – It could have been a hell of a round,” said the American.
“Don’t get me wrong, it was a good round, but
I just need to tidy a few things up.
“I didn’t take care of the par-5s, I didn’t birdie any of the par-5s. That was disappointing because I felt like you know those are holes you should be able to birdie. And then the second hole today, my 11th hole, I missed about a five-footer.
“That would have been nice to shoot 60.” Fleetwood shot his own 63 in the final round at Shinnecock last June, only to lose to Koepka by a single shot. Seeking to be the first Englishman in 100 years to win this tournament, the Southport star carded another six birdies yesterday to briefly share the lead with Matt Wallace, before the Koepka steamroller flattened the field. Fleetwood finished four shots off the lead after his 67.
“It’s only round one,” said the Ryder Cup hero. “Brooks does a very good job at Majors. I think we all know that. I sure wouldn’t be surprised if he was still there on Sunday. “When you get to majors, there’s definitely certain names and certain people that you’ve got to beat, and most of the time certain names and people pop up on the leaderboard. But that’s the game, and that’s what we’re here for.”
Like Koepka (above), who has won three of his last seven Majors, Fleetwood likes the big time on this side of the pond.
The Everton fan, who said he had shaken off the virus he suffered at his British Masters last week, said: “I enjoy the toughest courses and getting in a dogfight out there with the toughest courses in the world.
“I love playing over here. I love the positivity and the support I get. I’m not sure they remembered me from last year but they were nice.”
Asked of any similarities with Koepka, Fleetwood laughed: “He’s a lot bigger than me and he hits it a bit further. He’s got a bigger bone balance. But I think, mentality-wise, I’m obviously short of those wins at the moment.
“But I feel like I get into contention and hopefully it’ll only be a matter of time.”