U.S. Open Live Stream
- by Israel Caldwell
- in Sports
- — Jun 18, 2018
For an American golfer, the most attractive romance possible might be with your national championship.
Tommy Fleetwood put together one of the six best rounds in U.S. Open on Sunday at Shinnecock Hills. This thing they have going on doesn't have to stop. Only five players had ever shot a 63 before in the major known as "golf's ultimate test", until the Englishman switched on his heroics.
How did we end up here, with Koepka becoming the first player to win consecutive U.S. Opens since Curtis Strange did it in 1988 and 1989?
"We talked a lot more when we worked out than when we were on the golf course", Koepka said. "I just keep doing what I'm doing, keep plugging away", said Koepka, who despite his defending champion status was flying under the radar at Shinnecock Hills, where Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, world number one Dustin Johnson, and multiple-time Major victor Rory McIlroy were generating pre-tournament buzz.
By all means, what Koepka has done this year is impressive. Left wrists are to right-handed golfers what knees are to NFL running backs and elbows are to major league pitchers.
"It hasn't sunk in yet, " Koepka said afterward. It's just no fun sitting on your couch. The majors and big events eventually bring the best players to the top so if I play well or not I always find playing the big events very motivating because it shows you where the game is at. The days are so long.
Two major champions, Justin Rose, victor of the 2013 U.S. Open at Merion, and former British Open victor Henrik Stenson, are lurking just off the pace. "I just finally did". So he made the turn at 1-over on the day with just two pars on the front nine. But as soon as he is finished, he reveals an engaging, playful, confident personality.
And the world's No. 12 player knows that could come back to haunt him.
Buck added, "The only person I feel bad for in the whole situation is his ex-girlfriend". It doesn't bug me.
So be it. Because, in this case, it's deserved.
He hit balls for a while and messed around with different types of pitch shots at the short game area as Clare kept tabs on the tournament. Berger had back-to-back bogeys at the second and third.
"He has the ideal game to play in majors", Harmon said.
His nerves didn't crack under the intense pressure of Fleetwood's posted score.
Fleetwood, Koepka's closest competitor, was nine over par - six strokes back of the leaders - when he teed off two hours and 23 minutes ahead of the last group. "I felt fine", the 27-year-old said once his fate as the U.S. OpenA's runner-up had been solidified.
After his victory. Koepka viewed the whole feat with a becoming honesty and self-deprecation.
Finau still had a chance to tie Koepka with a couple of more birdies, but missed long putts at 16 and 17 before getting into trouble at No. 18 with an errant tee shot.
The Open took its traditionally savage setup to an even more perverse level.
Koepka plays quickly and does not overthink. "It was cool to have him in the group", Koepka said. His personality is a variant on laid-back, ultra-confident-but-not-arrogant-cowboy cool.
The USGA said overnight watering would reduce green speeds, and hole locations would be set up to be more accessible to players. "Having said that, this golf course will get slowed down tonight".
The U.S. Open won't be so tough on Sunday with the trophy at stake. This is final year of Woods being exempt to the U.S. Open as a past champion.
This victory will leave only one unusual Koepka Family Tradition in its wake.
Happy Father's Day, Vic Parziale.
But there is a steadiness which helped him win last year's Race to Dubai, the French Open and a successful title defence in Abu Dhabi.
