PGA's Koepka hits impressive 208-yard albatross at TPC

By Dave Kovaleski May 14, 2018 at 8:50am

Webb Simpson stole the show at the Players Championship, carding a score of 18 under to easily the win the “fifth major” by four shots over Jimmy Walker, Charl Schwarzel and Xander Schauffele.

Tiger Woods thrilled golf fans by going 10-under on the weekend to finish in a tie for 11th place at 11-under, after getting it to 14-under only to splash one in the water at 17 for a double bogey.

But Brooks Koepka had the shot of the tournament, the rare albatross on the par-5 16th hole.

It was a thing of beauty.

After a perfect drive just over 300 yards, Koepka hit a 6-iron from 208 yards out that bounced once one the green and caromed into the hole for a double-eagle 2, or albatross.

Immediately, his score went from 7-under to 10-under.

Koepka posted a course-record-tying round of 63 on Sunday, finishing in a tie for 11th place at 11-under for the tournament.

Brooks Koepka talks about his albatross on No. 16 and tying the course record with a 63. https://t.co/GNUwTUgIos

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 13, 2018

“It was a three quarter 6-iron, we thought it was perfect,” said Koepka after the round.

“To be honest with you, I was aiming 15 feet left. It started out a little bit left and faded with the wind right on line. To have it one hop in was pretty cool,” he added.

Koepka goes 2-2 on 16 & 17 after jarring it from 208 and hitting a wedge inside 5 feet. Useful.

— Will Gray (@WillGrayGolfbet) May 13, 2018

Koepka went on to birdie 17, which put him in position to break the course record of 63, shared by eight golfers, including Simpson, who fired a 63 in the second round.

https://twitter.com/Sports4Jax/status/995713918176817152

“I knew if you hit a good shot into 18 you could have a good look. I hit a great shot in there and left the putt you want, but unfortunately I couldn’t make it,” Koepka said.

Next week the tour moves to Dallas for the AT&T Byron Nelson tournament.

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Dave Kovaleski

Contributor, Sports

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Dave is a lifelong sports fan who has been writing for The Wildcard since 2017. He has been a writer for more than 20 years for a variety of publications.

Dave has been writing about sports for The Wildcard since 2017. He's been a reporter and editor for over 20 years, covering everything from sports to financial news. In addition to writing for The Wildcard, Dave has covered mutual funds for Pensions and Investments, meetings and conventions, money market funds, personal finance, associations, and he currently covers financial regulations and the energy sector for Macallan Communications. He has won awards for both news and sports reporting.

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