WITB: Brooks Koepka Wins The CJ Cup, Tour Wrap Up

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PGA Tour

Brooks Koepka Wins The CJ Cup

Golf’s popularity has grown exponentially in Asia over the past 15 years and it is safe to say South Korea is fanatical for the game. The PGA Tour has recognized the increase in popularity and placed an emphasis on growing the game internationally.

The enticement of large purses and big FedEx Cup points has had a positive effect on the fields in these tournaments and given the wonderful and enthusiastic golf fans of Asia an opportunity to see the Tour’s mega-stars in action. This year’s CJ Cup, chock-full of superstars, was no exception.

On a calm Sunday afternoon, Brooks Koepka fired an 8-under round of 64 to hold on to his 54-hole 4 shot lead and capture the CJ Cup. An impressive display of power and precision, Brooks was in control all weekend.

However, it wasn’t until late on Sunday when he finally relaxed. A chip-in on the 16th proved to be the moment that separated him from the field, allowing him to feel confident he had the tournament in the bag.

The 28-year old, 3-time major winner is staking his claim as this generation’s greatest golfer. His self-described “caveman golf” has catapulted him up the World Golf Rankings. By virtue of his win in South Korea, Brooks elapsed Dustin Johnson and took the World Number 1 golf ranking by brute force.

For people looking for the trends in what the top golfers in the world are playing, this is the third straight week a player used Mizuno JPX Tour Irons to win. Kevin Tway and Eddie Pepperell used the brand-new Mizuno JPX 919 Tour irons in their victories, while Koepka trusted the same irons he used to win two majors in 2018.

Brooks has played a mixed bag that he tweaks depending on course conditions. These are the clubs he used to win the 2018 CJ Cup.

WITB: What’s In The Bag – Brooks Koepka

TaylorMade M3 4600cc Driver
Driver:
TaylorMade M3 (Mitsubishi Diamana D+ 70TX shaft), 9.5°
TaylorMade M2 Tour Fairway
Fairway Wood:
TaylorMade M2 Tour HL (Mitsubishi Diamana D+ 80TX shaft), 16.5°
Nike Vapor Fly Pro Irons
Irons:
Nike Vapor Fly Pro (3-iron; Fujikura Pro 95 Tour Spec X shaft)
Mizuno JPX 900 Tour Irons
Irons:
Mizuno JPX-900 Tour (4-PW; True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 shafts)
Titleist SM7 Wedge - Tour Chrome Finish
Wedges:
Titleist Vokey SM7 (52-12F, 56-10S; True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400 shafts)
Titleist SM4 PVD Wedge
Wedges:
Titleist Vokey Design SM4 TVD (60-08M degrees; True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 shaft)
Scotty Cameron Newport 2 Button Back Putter
Putter:
Scotty Cameron T10 Select Newport 2
Titleist Pro V1x Golf Ball
Ball:
Titleist Pro V1x

European Tour

Sergio Garcia Wins Andalucia Valderrama Masters

Sergio Garcia Andalucia Valderrama Masters Champion

On a rain-delayed 54-hole Monday finish, Sergio Garcia won his second consecutive title at the Andalucia Valderrama Masters Hosted By the Sergio Garcia Foundation (and the third straight Andalucia Masters, the event was not played from 2012 to 2016). Garcia, 12-under, finished 4 strokes ahead of second place Shane Lowry.

The European Tour is still playing its 2018 season and every point is crucial heading into the Race to Dubai playoffs. The only remaining event for players to earn points and their spot in the top 116 before the start of the playoffs is the WGC HSBC Champions tournament in Shanghai, China.


LPGA Tour

Danielle Kang Wins Buick LPGA Shanghai

Danielle Kang Buick LPGA Shanghai Champion

The ladies continued their Asia tournament swing last week at the Buick LPGA Shanghai played at the Qizhong Garden Golf Club. Danielle Kang exercised her personal demons, besting a star-studded field by 2 shots.

A tough year for Kang, she has battled her swing all season long. Similar to the issues that Kevin Na faced a few years ago, Kang has been unable to get comfortable at address, which paralyzes her swing on takeaway.

The LPGA will play 3 more tournaments in Asia before returning to the United States for the season ending CME Group Tour Championship.


Champions Tour

Woody Austin Wins Dominion Energy

Woody Austin Dominion Energy Champion

The opening leg of the Charles Schwab Cup took place last weekend at the James River Course in Virginia. Playing in the third to last group on Sunday, Woody Austin’s 3rd shot from the side of the green on the 18th hole, which he tried to kill into the hill, took off racing across the green.

It looked as though he had chipped it clear off the green, however, good fortune smiled upon him as the ball caromed off the flag stick, coming to rest under the hole within make-able birdie range. He sunk his putt, putting pressure on the two players behind him who could force a playoff.

Bernhard Langer and Jay Haas both needed to eagle 18 to force the playoff, and while both hit exceptional third shots, neither was able to hole out. Woody Austin found the winner’s circle for the first time since 2016 on the Champions Tour.

The top 54 players in the Charles Schwab Cup rankings advance to play in next week’s Invesco QQQ Championship at Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks, California.

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Keith Schneider

Web Content Manager at GolfDiscount.com
Keith SchneiderAge: 34 Handicap: 4.9 Introduction to golf: Age 14 Playing years: 20 Rounds per year: 75+ Hole in Ones: 1WITB Driver: Titleist TS2 10.5° Project X HZRDUS Smoke 65 6.5 3 Wood: Cobra King F9 Fairway Wood 3-Wood Project X HZRDUS Smoke 75 6.5 2-Iron: Mizuno MP-18 MMC Fli-Hi KBS Tour C Taper Lite Stiff 1° weak 1.5° upright Irons: Mizuno MP-68 (4-PW) +1/2" Dynamic Gold X100 2° upright Wedge: Titleist Vokey SM7 51° 8° bounce Dynamic Gold S400 F Grind Wedge: Titleist Vokey SM7 Wedge Works 55° 14° bounce Dynamic Gold S400 F Grind Wedge: Titleist Vokey SM7 Wedge Works 60° 6° bounce Dynamic Gold S400 K Grind Putter: Scotty Cameron Studio Style Newport 2 35" Balls: Titleist ProV1x, TaylorMade Tour Preferred X or Callaway Chrome Soft X
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