Koepka holds off Fleetwood to go back-to-back at Shinnecock

What happened on the final day of the US Open?

Brooks Koepka became the first player in 29 years to successfully defend the US Open as he held off a final round charge from Tommy Fleetwood to win at Shinnecock Hills.

Koepka – who won his first major championship at Erin Hills last year – started the day tied for the lead, and he got off to a brilliant start with three birdies in the opening five holes.

Patrick Reed was also making an early move, but a huge story was developing on the other side of the golf course as England’s Fleetwood went out in a three-under-par 32 to surge up the leaderboard.

Fleetwood then rattled off birdies at 12, 13, 14 and 15 and it looked as though he would post a low number and have a significant chance of holding on, especially if afternoon conditions deteriorated like it did on Saturday.

He would go on to sign for a round of 63, but it could have been so much better. He made a par at the par-5 15^th, and he hit a beautiful approach into the final hole to eight-feet. Agonisingly, the resulting putt burned the right lip. It was the sixth 63 in US Open history.

Even so, Fleetwood was in the clubhouse at two-over, and when Koepka went long at the par-3 11^th hole, Fleetwood became the betting favourite.

But Koepka produced a stunning bogey-save, and that theme continued for the rest of the back-nine.

At the 12^th, Koepka’s approach found the greenside rough, but he produced a beautiful chip to walk away with a par. At the 14^th, the American pushed his drive into the fescue, hacked it down the fairway, and somehow managed to get up-and-down from 70 yards for par.

Koepka’s birdie at the 16^th hole – the par-5 that Fleetwood failed to birdie – all but sealed it.

A bogey at the 18^th wouldn’t matter – he’d finish just one stroke better than Fleetwood, and became the first player since Curtis Strange to win back-to-back US Opens.

A two-putt bogey on the 72nd hole does it. @BKoepka is the 118th #USOpen champion, and the first back-to-back champion since 1989! pic.twitter.com/DaWUiRGHCw

— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 17, 2018

It was a frustrating day for Dustin Johnson. The world No.1 had numerous chances throughout the day, but a couple of three-putts meant he would never get close to his playing partner Koepka. A birdie at the 18^th hole would secure a third place finish. Patrick Reed and Tony Finau rounded out the top five.

Full US Open leaderboard

Best quote

Brooks Koepka:

It feels so good to have this back in my hands. I don’t think I could’ve dreamed of this, going back-to-back. It’s truly special.

Best moments

Win or lose, it's been a great #FathersDay for @TommyFleetwood1. #USOpen pic.twitter.com/Ww7xIClaCR

— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 17, 2018

Oh my @BKoepka! This guy is throwing darts today! He extends his lead to two strokes with two holes to play. #USOpen pic.twitter.com/hyKQJHa3rz

— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 17, 2018

Splash mountain! @DJohnsonPGA is now only two strokes back. #USOpen pic.twitter.com/Lt9k09ThY7

— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 17, 2018

Par saves like this often make the difference in a #USOpen. pic.twitter.com/yfQTM684ZF

— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 17, 2018

Celebrating his first #FathersDay with his son, Franklin, as he waits to find out if his score will hold up. #USOpen pic.twitter.com/5eaEM0IFCa

— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) June 17, 2018

As the battle heads down the stretch at Shinnecock, here's how @TommyFleetwood1 posted the number everyone has to stare at the rest of the way. #USOpen pic.twitter.com/oqHVzNbVPe

— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 17, 2018

.@BKoepka extends his lead to 2. #USOpen pic.twitter.com/OwJjCcvx6T

— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 17, 2018

Dustin Johnson. Remember him? He's only stroke back. #USOpen pic.twitter.com/tnmazPSuAd

— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 17, 2018

Just hope @PReedGolf's arm doesn't get hurt from all the fist-pumps. #USOpen pic.twitter.com/irvKP2Z9jf

— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 17, 2018

.@PReedGolf wants it. #USOpen pic.twitter.com/7k6gSzjG9A

— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 17, 2018

We hear @BKoepka guards his possessions carefully. He appears to have zero interest in seeing someone else hoist his #USOpen ?. pic.twitter.com/sLcJs5p6Lk

— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 17, 2018

? The defending champ (@BKoepka) has the lead to himself. #USOpen pic.twitter.com/3sEFrfK4Wz

— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 17, 2018

In bowling, it's called a ?. Today, it's a tie for the lead in the #USOpen. pic.twitter.com/XmGRsqf0qs

— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 17, 2018

Best Tweets

Overheard at #USOpen this morning: When a USGA official offered Henrik Stenson a bottle of water after his round on Saturday, Stenson declined and told him to use it on the greens instead.

— Neil Best (@sportswatch) June 17, 2018

Phil and his coach go through pre-final round #QuickRake drill. #USOpen pic.twitter.com/HzUA19liQn

— Club Pro Guy (@ClubProGuy) June 17, 2018

Love him or like him, you can’t deny Fleetwood is one hell of a golfer. ???‍♂️

— Eddie Pepperell (@PepperellEddie) June 17, 2018

US Open fans getting right behind Tommy Fleetwood – they want to see some history made.

“Nobody can stop that hair!” my favourite call so far. pic.twitter.com/jAmzpVhQqN

— Alex Perry (@AlexPerryNCG) June 17, 2018

Best stats

Koepka projected to move to a career-best world no. 4

— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGC) June 17, 2018

45 years later to the day, Tommy Fleetwood shoots the 2nd final round of 63 in U.S. Open history (Johnny Miller at Oakmont).

— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGC) June 17, 2018

The only defending U.S. Open champion to hold the 54-hole lead/co-lead and win was Bobby Jones in 1930. Brooks Koepka tries to become the second today.

— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGC) June 17, 2018