FSU alum Koepka world No. 1 after 4-shot win in South Korea
I gave myself a chance, I was tied for the lead there. Brooks obviously just made some clutch shots down the stretch.”
Palmer said he became more confident with each of his seven consecutive birdies on the back nine.
“The more I made, the more free I felt in my swing and I was able to hit some close,” Palmer said. “I made some long putts coming down the stretch. Actually on 17, I looked at my scorecard, I was like, ‘Oh, that’s six in a row.’ It is kind of back there, but you don’t think about it. What a special day.”
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 Sunday.
Koepka is the third player this year to reach No. 1 for the first time, joining Justin Rose and Thomas. The last time that happened was in 1997 when Ernie Els, Tom Lehman and Tiger Woods each rose to No. 1.
It was Koepka’s 12th victory worldwide, including four wins on the European Challenge Tour. He now has won in six countries — the U.S., South Korea, Spain, Italy, Turkey and Scotland.
“Everything I’ve done this year it’s been working. So I don’t want to change anything,” Koepka said. “Just keep improving.
“I’m so excited right now, you have no idea. I can’t wait to go play again.”
He’ll get his chance soon. Next week the PGA Tour heads to Shanghai for the final stop on its Asian swing, the World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions.
RICHMOND, Va. — Woody Austin shot a 3-under 69 for a one-stroke victory over Bernhard Langer on Sunday in the PGA Tour Champions’ playoff-opening Dominion Energy Charity Classic. The 54-year-old Austin finished with an 11-under total for three rounds at The Country Club of Virginia’s James River Course. He won his fourth senior title and first since 2016.
Langer, the defending tournament champion and season-points leader, birdied the final hole for a 70. The winner last week in North Carolina, the 61-year-old German star closed the front nine with consecutive birdies but had several birdie putts slide on the back.
Austin dropped a stroke behind Jay Haas and Stephen Ames with a bogey on the par-3 14th. He got that back with a birdie on the par-4 15th and also birdied the par-5 closing hole.
The 64-year-old Haas, the second-round leader after a 65, had a 74 to tie for third with Fran Quinn (69) and Kent Jones (70) at 9 under.
SOTOGRANDE, Spain — Sergio Garcia was on course to win a third Andalucia Valderrama Masters on Sunday when play was suspended due to heavy rain and the threat of lightning in southern Spain. The 2017 Masters winner will take a threeshot lead over Lee Westwood into Monday at the Real Club Valderrama. Garcia had played seven holes on the final round before play was halted.