Mendoza: Consistency makes Koepka winner

THE cruelty of golf has claimed another distinguished scalp: Dustin Johnson.

The 2016 U.S. Open champion succumbed to Shinnecock Hills’ terrible terrain of unevenness, from bunkered fairways to up-and-down greens.

While he managed to salvage even par 70, several missed birdies dropped him to third overall with a three-over-par total.

And yet, DJ was almost flawlessly perfect in the first two rounds with his tournament-leading 69-67.

But why can’t a golf tournament be done in 36 holes instead of 72?

But that’s like asking why does a basketball game have to last for four quarters of 12 minutes each, as in both the NBA and PBA?

And why must a football match—soccer, if you will—have to last 90 minutes, halved into two at 45 minutes per half?

Each sport has its quirky nuances, as in love having no meaning—useless—in tennis.

Ah, tennis. You only win a full point after scoring successively points of 15, 30 and 40.

And “zero” in this game is called “love” for what reason, I haven’t the faintest idea.

But back to golf.

Why does a normal 18-hole golf course possess par 3s, par 4s and par 5s?

For variety? To eliminate monotony?

Well, very recently, Bert Bravo made a novelty and instantly installed himself a rarity: He just inaugurated his Bravo Golf course in Dumaguete City, which is now the first all par 3 layout of 18 holes in the Philippines.

But back to Dustin Johnson.

By tumbling down to third from champ, he’d probably spend sleepless nights why he was blunted.

Putting would take front seat, golf’s premiere aspect that Tommy Fleetwood had maximized to the hilt in yesterday’s fourth and last round.

Fleetwood wielded the hottest putter all week to shoot 63 yesterday, a new course record to edge DJ for second by one shot at two-over-par overall.

Putting was also the chief weapon used by Brooks Koepka to win, in the process becoming the second back-to-back U.S. Open champion since Curtis Strange did the trick in 1988-1989.

But Koepka’s final winning 68 to prevail by one over Fleetwood was anchored not only on putting but on a tee-to-green brilliance.

Golf is cruel but it also rewards those who play it with consistency. Simply, Koepka was that yesterday.

Trending

No stories found.

Just in

No stories found.

Branded Content

No stories found.
SunStar Publishing Inc.
www.sunstar.com.ph