Brooks Koepka comes a long way to reach No. 1 in men's golf

By Yoo Jee-ho

SEOGWIPO, South Korea, Oct. 21 (Yonhap) -- A dozen victories in seven countries later, Brooks Koepka can finally call himself world No. 1 in men's golf.

The American star captured the CJ Cup @ Nine Bridges in South Korea -- the only PGA Tour event in the country -- on Sunday, beating countryman Gary Woodland by four strokes at 21-under 267.

With that, Koepka will leapfrog the current top two, Dustin Johnson and Justin Rose, to become the top-ranked player for the first time. Neither Johnson nor Rose played at the Club at Nine Bridges here on Jeju Island, and that opened the door for Koepka, the reigning PGA Tour Player of the Year and three-time major champion, to snatch the top spot.

"It's amazing to go world No. 1 with a win," Koepka said. "I always wanted to earn my way to No. 1. I felt like if I played and I won, that would be exactly like I drew it up."

The 28-year-old began his professional career on the Challenge Tour, a second-tier circuit in Europe. He recalled that his first start came in Switzerland in 2012.

"I don't think I could have said six years later, I'd be No. 1 in the world," he said. "To be world No. 1 is something I dreamed of as a kid and I don't think this one's going to sink in."

Koepka has also won in the United States, Spain, Turkey, Italy, Scotland and Japan. He said he has cracked the top 1,000 in the rankings and reached other milestones in other countries, and the only monumental climb he's made in his native country was to break into the top 10.

"It's probably fitting that I did it (reaching No. 1) in Korea," Koepka said with a smile. "I can't wait to come back next year. This course is fantastic. It's so much fun to play, and it really challenges you."

Koepka started out with a four-shot lead over Ian Poulter and Scott Piercy, but Gary Woodland, who was five shots back, made a scintillating charge with six birdies on the front nine.

Koepka and Woodland, two of the PGA Tour's longest hitters, kept trading birdies, until Koepka pulled away over the final stretch. He chipped in from about 25 yards out for birdie at the 16th to reach 19-under, and Woodland bogeyed the 17th moments later to fall to 16-under.

Woodland birdied the final hole, but Koepka did one better with an eagle for the icing on the cake.

Often expressionless on the course regardless of his score, Koepka flashed a smile after the chip shot at the 16th.

"For that to drop, I definitely felt like I won the tournament right then and there," Koepka said.

He said he is a leaderboard watcher on the course and added he even enjoyed keeping track of everyone else's scores.

"You're out there for five hours and the only way I know how I am doing is to look at it," he said. "I'm not concerned whether I'm one back, two up, whatever it might be. It's not going to change my approach. Maybe
the final few holes if I'm trying to chase or do that, but if I've got the lead, I'm just going to stick to what I'm doing, stick to what works for me and keep giving myself good looks."

Koepka said even as Woodland was making a run, he never once panicked.

"I just think pressure is all what you put on yourself. I think pressure comes from fear. I think if you start thinking about the result or what might happen if you do something, that's the only time there's pressure," he said. "I always felt like I was in control, which is a good feeling, and hopefully that continues into next week."

jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)