Revisit the 2018 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, where Brooks Koepka rebounded from a tough start to taste victory once again.
Brooks Koepka’s Historic Victory at the 2018 U.S. Open: A Look Back
The 118th edition of the United States Open Championship in 2018 was a memorable event that golf enthusiasts will not soon forget.
Held at the iconic Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Shinnecock Hills, New York, this tournament marked the fifth time this prestigious competition had graced the historic course.
Let’s take a trip down memory lane and relive the highlights of the 2018 U.S. Open, where defending champion Brooks Koepka etched his name in the annals of golf history.
Brooks Koepka’s Back-to-Back Triumph
The focal point of the 2018 U.S. Open was undoubtedly the remarkable performance of Brooks Koepka.
As the defending champion, the pressure was on him to prove that his victory the previous year was no fluke.
With unshakable determination and skill, Koepka shot a final-round 68, finishing with a total score of 281 (+1).
This brilliant performance secured his second consecutive U.S. Open title, making him only the third golfer since World War II to successfully defend the prestigious championship.
He joined the elite company of Ben Hogan (1951) and Curtis Strange (1989) in achieving this feat.
A Nail-Biting Finish
The 2018 U.S. Open will be remembered for its nail-biting finish, as Brooks Koepka faced stiff competition from the talented Tommy Fleetwood.
Fleetwood mounted a spectacular charge, closing with a remarkable final round of 63, making it the sixth-best round in U.S. Open history.
Despite Fleetwood’s incredible effort, Koepka managed to maintain his composure and clinch the victory by a mere stroke.
It was a showdown for the ages that left spectators on the edge of their seats.
A Change in Playoff Format
The 2018 U.S. Open also saw a significant change in the playoff format, introduced by the United States Golf Association (USGA) in February of that year.
In previous years, playoffs at the U.S. Open had consisted of a full round of 18 holes, followed by sudden-death if necessary.
However, for this edition of the championship, the format was altered to a two-hole aggregate playoff.
This change aimed to add a fresh and exciting dimension to the tournament while ensuring a fair outcome.
The last time an 18-hole playoff occurred was in 2008, where Tiger Woods emerged victorious on the first sudden-death hole.
