Brooks Koepka clings on for US Open glory after Tommy Fleetwood’s charge

Almost three decades on from Curtis Strange’s successful defence in 1989, the US Open again has a back-to-back champion. With a closing round of 68, two-under par over the much-criticised Shinnecock Hills layout on Long Island, Brooks Koepka retained the title he won at Erin Hills 12 months ago.

The 28-year old Floridian — a certainty to be part of the American Ryder Cup squad this September — finished on 281, one-over par for the 72 holes and one shot clear of runner-up Tommy Fleetwood. For his trouble, Koepka picked up $2.16m (£1.63m).

Four times a winner on the European Challenge Tour in 2012 and 2013, Koepka also finished first in the 2014 Turkish Airlines Open after earning promotion to the European Tour. He has often paid tribute to the valuable experience he picked up during those formative years. It was, however, his putting during the final round that proved to be the most potent catalyst to the 28-year old’s third PGA Tour victory in the land of his birth. Time after time he holed out from between 10 and 15ft for pars and birdies. And, on one crucial occasion, for a bogey.

After badly pulling his approach well left of the green at the par-three 11th, Koepka chipped all the way over the putting surface and into a bunker. From there, his attempted recovery came up 15ft short. But in the putt went.

“After that big a mistake, I just wanted to get away with a bogey,” said the champion, his voice reflecting the relief he clearly felt. “I could have been easily derailed if I had made a double or triple-bogey. I watched guys hit that putt on television in the morning. I saw three leave it short, so I told myself to give it a little extra.”

Six holes later, he arrived on the 18th tee needing only a bogey five to beat Fleetwood. Just as well. A bogey is what he got, courtesy of another pulled approach shot that struck the grandstand yards left of the green. Three shots later, though, a controversial week, in which the presentation of the course was often the biggest story, was over.

Which, no doubt, came as a relief to the tournament organisers, the United States Golf Association.

Hard and fast and, according to many of the players, “out of control” on Saturday, Shinnecock Hills was heavily watered overnight. In the final round, the scoring improved markedly.

“In hindsight, yesterday the course probably should have been like it was today,” said Koepka. “But it is what it is. I just focused on what I was doing.”

As for Fleetwood, the 27-year-old from Southport was down but not disappointed by his performance. Richer to the tune of $1,296,000 (£976,750), he also shot the best round of the week, a championship record-equalling seven-under par 63.

“I’ve done a lot here, quite apart from the way I played today,” said Fleetwood. “With five holes to play yesterday I was eight-over par for the round and playing badly. Then I made some great putts. I shot the round of the day on Friday. And on Thursday I was six-over through 15 holes and played the last three in one-under. I did so many good things it is difficult to look back with any regret over one shot.”

That shot is the seven-foot putt he missed on the 72nd green for what would have been his ninth birdie of the round. “I had a chance to make history but I wouldn’t do anything differently,” said Fleetwood. “I hit the putt I wanted to and I’m not going to say I should have done this or that. It’s been a great day and to equal the record is very special.”