Golf has a new World No. 1 as Koepka seals the deal in Korea
What happened at the CJ Cup?
His first start of the new PGA Tour season and that’s all Brooks Koepka needed to get his first win of the season.
Fresh from being crowned PGA Tour Player of the Year for last season, Koepka shot a final-round 64 to wrap up a comfortable win at the CJ Cup – his 12th title overall and third in his last 11 starts.
The day didn’t start quite how Koepka would have liked. His overnight four-shot lead was decimated by a birdie-fest from Gary Woodland, but the three-time major champion composed himself after the turn and a back-nine 29, including an eagle at the 72nd hole, was enough to get the job done.
? EAGLE to win by FOUR. ?
A back-nine 29 for @BKoepka.
What a closing performance.#LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/RNlb4Yy0dU
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 21, 2018
Woodland’s 63 was bettered only by Ryan Palmer, who finished in a tie for 3rd, but it still wasn’t enough to get within four of Koepka.
Defending champion Justin Thomas finished in a tie for 36th at 5-under par.
Talking Point
We have a new World No. 1! Koepka’s win was enough to move ahead of his good friend Dustin Johnson.
Koepka becomes the 23rd player to reach the No. 1 spot and the fourth player to do it this year. This is only the second time this has ever happened, with Tom Lehman, Greg Norman, Tiger Woods and Ernie Els all holding the position for a time in 1997.
Meanwhile, Jason Day’s tie for 5th in South Korea was enough to knock Jordan Spieth out of the top 10 for the first time in four years.
The top 10 this week as follows:
1. Brooks Koepka
2. Dustin Johnson
3. Justin Rose
4. Justin Thomas
5. Rory McIlroy
6. Francesco Molinari
7. Bryson DeChambeau
8. Jon Rahm
9. Rickie Fowler
10. Jason Day
Jordan Spieth, Tommy Fleetwood and Tiger Woods make up the next three spots.
Highlights
.@BKoepka. Golf’s new No. 1 ?.
(?: wulf_golf) pic.twitter.com/2v26qy0RAM
— National Club Golfer (@NCGMagazine) October 21, 2018
Congratulations, @BKoepka.
He's won THE CJ CUP. ?
It's his 3rd win in 11 starts.#LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/ihPk9WiJZg
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 21, 2018
MIC DROP. ?@BKoepka holes it!#LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/baP7yIT9qy
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 21, 2018
Wow. ?
A dart from @BKoepka.
Nearly a hole-in-one. #LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/P7uRsg2xxG
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 21, 2018
TIE GAME.
What a putt by @GaryWoodland. ?#LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/zdjEEtr45V
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 21, 2018
The back 9 on Sunday.
Good start for @BKoepka. ?#LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/M5PIKsz3mk
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 21, 2018
Last 7 holes for @GaryWoodland …
• Birdie
• Birdie
• Par
• Birdie
• Birdie
• Birdie
• BirdieHe's now tied for the lead with @BKoepka.
Safe to say he's feeling it. ?#LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/IaSadxGHod
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 21, 2018
-4 thru 7 start for @GaryWoodland.
From 5 back to 1 back. Real quick.#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/PMSoX4Prcc
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 21, 2018
How strong is @BKoepka? ??
He popped up his drive and STILL reached in 2.#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/1LUy9bXD9q
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 21, 2018
BIG Money. BIG Names ?. Competing for a $9.5m prize fund:
?? -13 Koepka
??????? -9 Poulter
?? -9 Piercy.@BKoepka leads by 4 at the CJ Cup. Final-round LIVE leaderboard ?: https://t.co/rlzxn2HaDZ pic.twitter.com/Pj2NzRCHQk
— National Club Golfer (@NCGMagazine) October 21, 2018
Alex Perry
Alex has been the editor of National Club Golfer since 2017. A Devonian who enjoys wittering on about his south west roots, Alex moved north to join NCG after more than a decade in London, the last five of which were with ESPN. Away from golf, Alex follows Torquay United and spends too much time playing his PlayStation or his guitar and not enough time practising his short game.
