America’s Brooks Koepka became the fourth player to hold the world No.1 spot in 2018 with victory in the CJ Cup Nine Bridges Club on Jeju Island.
His closing eight-under-par 64 for a 21-under winning total was an appropriately dominant way to reach the top of the world rankings and cement his position as the hottest golfer on the planet.
With back to back US Opens and his US PGA victory in August when staring down Tiger Woods, the 28-year-old had already established himself as the new dominant force in world golf.
“To be world No.1 is something I dreamed of as a kid,” Koepka said. “I don’t think this one’s going to sink in.”
Going out with Ian Poulter in the final round in the CJ Cup – who fell away to finish in a tie for 10th with a 71 – Koepka held a two-shot lead, yet had to fend off his inspired countryman Gary Woodland, who made 10 birdies in his first 16 holes to pull level. Koepka didn’t falter, however, holing a chip from 70 yards for a birdie on the 16th, before eagling the last for a back-nine 29.
The CJ Cup was Koepka’s fifth PGA Tour title, and his 12thworldwide win. He said: “I feel like I need to win a few more regular Tour events and then keep adding majors. I feel like my game’s set up for that. I’ve gotten so much confidence off winning those majors where, it’s incredible, every time I tee it up, I feel like I really have a good chance to win, whether I have my A-game or not.”
Koepka is the third player this year to reach No.1 for the first time, joining Justin Thomas and Justin Rose. The last time that happened was in 1997, when Ernie Els, Tom Lehman and Tiger Woods each rose to the top position.