• Floridian becomes third man since the war to win back to back
• Fleetwood shoots a record-equalling 63 and loses by a shot
The only problem with Tommy Fleetwood’s making of history was Brooks Koepka’s eagerness to do likewise. On a Long Island Sunday when Fleetwood joined the elite group who have shot 63 in the US Open, the Englishman’s bid for a maiden major title came up agonisingly short. Koepka is just the third man since the second world war and the seventh in history to defend the US Open title successfully.
Koepka’s triumph came by one shot, at one over par, from the inspired Fleetwood. Koepka was even afforded the luxury of a bogey at the last before signing for a 68. The Florida native will not be in the ever-growing queue for those looking to criticise the United States Golf Association. It has, after all, bestowed $4m worth of cheques on him over back-to-back Junes.
Written by Ewan Murray at Shinnecock Hills
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/jun/17/brooks-koepka-history-tommy-fleetwood-retain-us-open under the title “Brooks Koepka makes history in holding off Fleetwood to retain US Open title”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
