Brooks Koepka makes history with incredible albatross
American golfer Brooks Koepka has achieved a remarkable piece of history at the Players Championship with an albatross on the par-five 16th.
Koepka made just the second albatross in the history of the Players Championship when he holed a “little” six-iron during the final round on Sunday.
The feat helped the reigning US Open champion match the course record of nine-under-par 63 at TPC Sawgrass.
Koepka found himself 206 yards from the 16th hole after a 300-yard drive.
With the hole located only six yards from a water hazard to the right, Koepka aimed slightly left and hit a big, high shot that landed softly, took one bounce and disappeared into the cup.
“It was just a three-quarter six-iron,” Koepka said, meaning he swung softly.
“We thought it was perfect. I was aiming 15 feet left and just kind of started it a little bit left and it faded with the wind right on line.”
The only previous albatross at the hole was by Spaniard Rafael Cabrera-Bello last year.
Koepka finished at 11-under 277, which gave him the clubhouse lead with the frontrunners early in their round.
He was delighted with his performance in his third event back after missing more than three months with a left wrist injury.
“I’ve been knocking on the door,” said the American.
“It’s just sometimes when you’re off for four months you come back, you need to play a little bit, get some rhythm and it’s nice to finally shoot a low one.
“There’s nobody more excited to be here than me. To get back out it felt like it took forever. The days were very long.”
Webb Simpson went on to secure an easy victory.
Beginning Sunday’s final round with the tournament’s largest ever 54-hole lead of seven shots, Simpson held on tight during a one-over-par 73 and his 18 under total earned the American a four-stroke win.
In second place at 14 under were Charl Schwartzel, Jimmy Walker and Xander Schauffele (all 67), with Australia’s Jason Day one shot further back to share fifth place with Jason Dufner.
with agencies