Coming Soon...
OKSomething went wrong!
Please try again later.
American Brooks Koepka defended his US Open title with a one-shot victory over England's record-equalling Tommy Fleetwood at Shinnecock Hills. Koepka closed with a two-under-par 68 to top the leaderboard at one over and deny Fleetwood a first major title.
Koepka is the first player to defend the US Open title after Curtis Strange
Fleetwood had set the clubhouse lead at two over after a scintillating seven-under-par 63 - the joint lowest round in US Open history. World number one Dustin Johnson shot a 70 to finish third on three over. England's Justin Rose, who began the day one shot off of a four-way tie for the lead, finished tied for 10th on seven over after a three-over 73.
Koepka, who claimed his first major at Erin Hills last year, became the first player to defend the US Open title since Curtis Strange won in 1988 and 1989. "This is incredible. I don't think I could have dreamed of going back-to-back. It's truly special and I am honoured," said the 28-year-old. "I always felt like I had a chance. I was never out of it. I just needed to keep grinding. I knew the conditions would ease up a bit and I took advantage of it."
Top Golfing names dominated the US Open leaderboard
Fleetwood made US Open history by posting the lowest round
Fleetwood, who eclipsed his fourth place at last year's US Open, took full advantage of the favourable course set-up for the final round at the course on Long Island in the state of New York. The world number 12 became the sixth golfer to shoot 63 in the US Open - joining Justin Thomas, Vijay Singh, Tom Weiskopf, Johnny Miller and Jack Nicklaus - and was one short of matching the all-time major record of 62 set by South Africa's Branden Grace during last year's Open Championship at Royal Birkdale.
Miller, in 1973, and Fleetwood are the only players to card a 63 in the tournament's final round. He holed eight birdies, including a superb run of four on the trot in the middle of the back nine, but missed an eight-foot birdie putt on the last. Fleetwood then had to watch for more than two hours as the leaders completed their rounds.
"A 62 was more on my mind than where I was in the tournament coming down the last few holes," said the 27-year-old from Southport. "It's special to shoot a 63 at the US Open.
"I thought 62 after six or seven holes. I knew I had to shoot something good. Last night we said shoot the greatest score in a US Open and you'll have a chance. It's alright saying that but it never happens.
"Just getting that close is the ultimate thing that I will take from this. It's nice as a golfer to have that hard work start paying off. Hopefully, this is just one stage in me winning majors."
Day 1: Shubhankar tied at T-37 on his US Open debut, Johnson shares lead with 3 others
Day 2: Shubhankar, Woods, Spieth & other biggies miss US Open cut as Johnson continues to lead
Day 3: Thailand's ace Golfer Kiradech charges into contention at the US Open
4moles Editorial | April 22, 2024
The energy was electric at THE ALMA MATER CUP - Alumni Invitational 2024, a dynamic golf event managed by 4moles.com at Qutab Golf Course on April 19, 2024. Over 120+ alumni from seven renowned NCR sch Read More
PGA | April 15, 2024
Scottie Scheffler entered the final day of The Masters with a one-shot lead, maintaining his position at the top throughout a tense Sunday. Despite several players threatening his lead, Read More
Ladies European Tour | April 24, 2024
Indian golfer Diksha Dagar made a significant climb to the 11th spot on the LET Order of Merit following her outstanding performance at the Joburg Ladies Open. Read More