Brooks Koepka Wins Phoenix Open
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Brooks Koepka produced a moment of magic at the Waste Management Phoenix Open, as a chip-in eagle on the penultimate hole gave the American a one-shot victory.

Brooks Koepka Wins in Phoenix

The 30-year-old has endured a torrid time of late, missing the majority of the 2020 season with injury, as well as missing the cut in his last three starts.

Koepka won this event back in 2015 but he started the day five shots back of overnight leaders Jordan Spieth and Xander Schauffele, and a bogey at the second dropped the American even further down the leaderboard.

An eagle at the following hole steadied the ship slightly, but six consecutive pars meant a disappointing one-under front nine.

It has been the back nine however where Koepka has made the majority of his score this week, and a birdie at the par five 13th was the spark that he needed to push on with his round.

A great second shot led to another birdie at the 14th and a flushed long iron on the par five 15th set up an eagle attempt, which he would miss. A tap-in birdie put him into a tie for the lead.

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The turning point would come at the short 17th where Koepka's tricky chip shot never left the hole as it trickled in for an unlikely eagle.

Before the chip-in, there were still 10 players within one shot of the lead: but thanks to his short game magic, the four-time Major winner now had a comfortable two-shot margin playing the last hole.

Koepka safely navigated the 18th and, after watching K.H. Lee miss his birdie attempt, the trophy was his.

"I felt like I've been playing really well, even though I've been missing cuts it just comes down to scoring. But today I just stayed patient and things just went my way today" Koepka said

"I've been in some dark places mentally, I didn't know whether I was going to be the same again, my knee left knee didn't feel the same as my right one,

"But I look at all the hard work I've been doing with Derek [Samuel], Butch [Harmon], Pete [Cowen], just everybody and I'm very proud of myself and them for everything they've done." He added.

Earlier on it looked as if James Hahn would run away with the tournament, as he made the turn at five-under-par. He then birdied the 10th to increase his lead to three shots.

James Hahn had a Three-Shot Lead With Eight Holes Remaining. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)

The American hadn't won since the 2016 Wells Fargo Championship, but the pressure took its toll as he bogeyed the 11th and found the water on the par five 13th, leading to another bogey.

Hahn then found the water again on the 15th and a bogey at the 17th extinguished all hope of victory.

Overnight leaders Jordan Spieth and Xander Schauffele had a day to forget, as both failed to build any momentum in the last round.

Spieth had produced a phenomenal round of 61 on Saturday, but a one-over-par round of 72 dropped the American down into a tie for fourth.

Jordan Spieth Phoenix Open

Jordan Spieth Will Have a lot of Positives to Take From Phoenix. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)

Schauffele on the other hand showed glimpses of challenging for the lead, but the American found the water on the 17th and then a fatted wedge shot led to a bogey. He did birdie the last, however it was too little too late as he finished tied second with Lee.

Carlos Ortiz started the day 10 shots back of overnight leaders Spieth and Schauffele and a round of the day 64 catapulted the Mexican into a T4 finish.

Steve Stricker found all 18 greens in regulation, as a final round 67 put the 53-year-old in a tie for fourth. Stricker was looking to become the oldest winner in the PGA Tour's history, but a level-par front nine halted any chance of victory.

Rory McIlroy produced the joint round of the day as he vaulted himself more than 20 places up the leaderboard and into a T13 finish. The Northern Irishman produced nine birdies and two bogies in a seven-under-par round of 64.

Matt Cradock
Staff Writer

Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.


Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.


Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?

Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°

Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°

Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°

Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°

Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x