Oh, what a difference a day makes. A day maybe but a year, not so much.
On a Shinnecock Hills course made a bit tamer by the USGA today, Brooks Koepka played nearly flawless golf as he successfully defended his 2017 U.S. Open title.
Koepka became the first player to win consecutive Opens since 1989 when Curtis Strange went back to back with his wins at The Country Club and Oak Hill.
His day around Shinnecock Hills was no walk in the park but after Saturday’s fried setup the USGA allowed the course to reward good shots and players were able to score while they paid the penalty for wayward ones.
Last year on 60 yard wide fairways Koepka bludgeoned Erin Hills with his breathtaking long game. And while his ’17 score of sixteen under was nowhere in sight at Shinnecock his long game served him well as his driver and long irons gave him a true advantage on a course that was a bit more “gettable” than yesterday’s painful debacle.
Normally he cashes big checks with the big stick but he earned his money today with his putter and deft touch around the greens. Time after time he scrambled to get up and down when his ball rolled through the speedy greens.
His two under 68 left him one shot ahead of Tommy Fleetwood who set a sizzling pace with a 63 which tied the record for low round in the U.S. Open.
Koepka stated earlier this week that he “was the most confident player here” and he backed it up today.
Winning the U.S. Open is a dream come true for most players, winning back to back Opens is almost unimaginable.
“To be honest with you, probably couldn’t have dreamed of it in my wildest dreams,” Koepka said. “I’m at a loss for words right now, but it’s really incredible.”
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