U.S. Open Champ “Annoyed” With Coming In Second

Sometimes second place is just the first loser. That’s how Brooks Koepka feels after playing a great week of golf at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas. The Florida State product shot rounds of 70-63-67-63 to finish three shots shy of Justin Rose who put together a near-record-breaking score of 20-under par.

 

“It was pretty impressive,” Koepka said. “Justin played well. Hat’s off to him. Any time you can come into a lead with four shots and play the way he did today, that’s impressive.”


 

Koepka said he was “annoyed” at another runner-up finish, the sixth such time he’s lost to one person since May of 2016. 

“I feel like we’ve had so many second-place finishes,” he said. “Always seem to run into a buzz saw, whatever it is.”

Rose would qualify as a buzzsaw this week. He didn’t shoot a round higher than 66 en route to his ninth PGA Tour victory. 

 

“I pick up the trophy and the first thing I saw was Ben Hogan’s name twice. It sort of says a lot,” Rose said after his win. “And I know there are many, many more there. Jack Nicklaus. You guys know the list. I’m proud to be a part of that.

“If you are able to win at a course that has great history, has had great champions, and if I begin to look at the courses I’ve won at, this definitely strengthens that group even more. I’m very proud of the places I’ve been able to win. I’m not saying they suit my game, but happy my game has turned up and I’ve been inspired by some of these great venues.”