Sign up for our daily newsletter

Latest news, reviews, analysis and opinion, plus unmissable deals for bunkered subscriptions, events, and our commercial partners.

There’s another new player at the top of the world rankings.

With his four-shot win in the CJ Cup in South Korea, Brooks Koepka has ascended to world No.1 for the first time, leap-frogging Dustin Johnson in the process.

Koepka, 28, closed with a 64 at Nine Bridges to win his fifth career PGA Tour title and add another chapter to what has been a roller-coaster 2018.

After wrist surgery forced him to miss most of the first four months of the year, he came back to successfully defend his US Open title at Shinnecock Hills, becoming the first player since Curtis Strange in 1989 to win the championship in consecutive years. The US PGA Championship at Bellerive in August gave him major win No.3.

Brooks Koepka No 1

He made his second Ryder Cup appearance at Le Golf National last month, where an errant tee shot on the opening morning left a female fan blind in one eye. He also subsequently denied reports of a fight between he and good friend Dustin Johnson in the aftermath of the USA’s heavy defeat.

All that was before he was named the PGA Tour Player of the Year two weeks ago.

• Who is Brooks Koepka’s caddie?

Now, he’s the world’s top golfer.

Koepka is the 23rd different player to top the rankings and the eighth American. He is also the fourth different player to hold the top spot in 2018, following Johnson, Justin Thomas and Justin Rose. 


author headshot

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor

More Reads

Image Turnberry green

The bunkered Golf Course Guide - Scotland

Now, with bunkered, you can discover the golf courses Scotland has to offer. Trust us, you will not be disappointed.

Find Courses

Latest podcast

The 2024 Masters Commute – Final Round Recap LIVE from Augusta