The American golfer Brooks Koepka has become a multiple major winner with a gutsy victory at the US Open at Shinnecock Hills in New York.
Koepka, 28, fired a two-under-par 68 and with a one-over par total he won by one shot from Tommy Fleetwood, whose 63 equalled the championship's lowest round.
Koepka, who won the 2017 edition at Erin Hills by four shots, became the first back-to-back US Open winner since Curtis Strange successfully defended his title in 1989.
Claiming his third victory on the US PGA Tour, world No.9 Koepka will pocket a winner's cheque of $3 million.
Brooks Koepka has defended his US Open. Photo: Photosport
The Florida native jumped out of the gates on final round with birdies at the second and third holes and never looked back, holding at least a share of the lead from there.
Koepka held his nerve in the face of bogeys at the sixth and 11th - where he drained a 13-foot bogey putt, before another dropped shot on his final hole.
He also withstood a furious charge from Englishman Fleetwood, who threw down the gauntlet with eight birdies and one bogey during a seven-under 63.
Fleetwood missed a short birdie putt at the last which would have given him the outright US Open record of 62.
World No.1 and 2016 winner Dustin Johnson birdied the 72nd hole but an even-par 70 gave him a three over total and solo third place, while Masters champion Patrick Reed (68) finished fourth at four over.
Ryan Fox, Perth, 2016. Photo: Photosport
New Zealanders Ryan Fox and Tim Wilkinson finished 41st and 48th respectively.
The result earns Fox around $65 thousand while Wilkinson will pick up $43 thousand.
-AAP
