Brooks Koepka’s third place looking awfully ominous at Pebble Beach

Two-time defending champion Brooks Koepka moved into tied-third place at the US Open on Saturday, spelling potential danger for the two players just ahead of him.
Gary Woodland still leads Justin Rose by one shot at Pebble Beach after a gutsy 69 to Rose’s 68 in the third round, but even though Koepka lies three shots back of Rose and four behind Woodland, his presence right behind them on the leaderboard seems like a bit of an ill omen if you happen to be rooting for either of those two players.
Koepka has, after all, won no less than four of the last eight majors over a two-year span dating back to his victory at the 2017 US Open at Erin Hills.
The 29-year-old successfully defended that title at Shinnecock Hills the following year while picking up successive PGA Championship titles to boot, and it’s that kind of runaway success that has many seeing him as the potential favourite on Sunday.
Koepka from the fringe! #USOpen pic.twitter.com/C9xWXQKSfg
— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 16, 2019
“I feel good,” said Koepka. “I feel like if I can just make a few putts, I feel like I could be right there, right next to Gary. And it’s been very close.
“I’m pleased how I’m playing. I’m pleased how I’m striking the ball. And I feel as confident as ever right now. It’s probably the best ball-striking week I’ve had… to hit as many greens as I have the last two days, the ball-striking is right where I want it.
“I feel like eventually these birdies have to come. I’ve hit so many good putts that just haven’t gone in.”
Brooks Koepka doing major things. #USOpen pic.twitter.com/lOAQcghJ8m
— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 15, 2019
Should those putts start to fall and the birdies start to come, Woodland and Rose will be forced to come up with an answer. Koepka currently leads the field in Greens in Regulation (76 percent) and Strokes Gained, which would make for a deadly combination if he starts to find his form on the greens.
And while none of his four previous major victories have seen him come from behind to win, Koepka doesn’t feel like he needs to do anything different on Sunday.
“I don’t need to go out and chase. I don’t need to do much. Just kind of let it come to you,” he said.
“But it would be nice to get off to a good start, be 3-under through 7, somewhere around there, take advantage of those opening holes. And you never know what’s going to happen.
“(I’ll be) trying to be three back going into the back nine, you never know from there, see what happens. Make a couple of birdies, put some pressure on guys. “And from there, if I win, great; if not, I felt I’ve given it all I had this week and it’s just not my week.”
Latest
-
News
R&A: ‘No plans’ for Open to head to Donald Trump-owned Turnberry in near future
Trump National in Bedminster was on Sunday stripped of next year’s US PGA Championship.
-
News
US PGA Championship moved from Donald Trump-owned course in New Jersey
Trump National in Bedminster had been set to host the event.
-
News
Justin Thomas : ‘I made a terrible, terrible judgement call’
Thomas admitted he was distracted by what happened on Saturday during his final round.
-
News
PGA Championship to be moved away from Donald Trump-owned course
It is the second time in six years the PGA has moved an event away from a course owned by Donald Trump.
-
News
‘It’s inexcusable’ – Justin Thomas apologises for homophobic slur in Hawaii
The world number three was heard using the derogatory word towards himself after missing a par putt.
-
News
Westwood, McDowell back petition to allow English golf courses to open
The duo have added their names to a petition that has passed 100 000 signatures.
-
News
Xander Schauffele pledges to ‘fake it until I make it’ after contracting Covid
Schauffele is one of 16 players in the Sentry Tournament of Champions who failed to win an official event last season.
-
News
After years with TaylorMade, Jon Rahm joins Callaway
Spaniard will have Callaway woods and irons in his bag at Sentry Tournament of Champions.
-
News
What to expect from the 2021 OMEGA Dubai Desert Classic
There are more prestigious events on the European Tour, but there’s no denying that the Dubai Desert Classic just has something about it.
-
News
Organisers delay ticketing process for 2021 Masters as another fan shutout looms
Augusta National Golf Club is considering its options before making a call on 2021 Masters.