Koepka's Phoenix win doesn't surprise me..DeLaet finishes T7..

PGA Tour final scoreboard http://espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard?tour=pga


On yesterday's coverage of the Waste Management Phoenix Open Steve Sands (Golf Channel) finally caught himself and apologized to the audience for talking about Brooks Koepka as though nobody in the States had ever heard of him..


You weren't wrong Steve, but then again we all know that most Yanks don't know what's going out outside their own town, city or state, never mind in another country which is where Brooks has being plying his trade for the last 2 years, on both the Challenge then the European Tour.


Yesterday he closed with a -5 66 for a one-shot victory and his first PGA Tour title and this is his second win in four starts because he won the Turkish Airlines Open  in Europe in November, and he is now #19 in the world


Hideki Matsuyama had an 18-foot putt to force a playoff on the last hole, but he never got it on line and closed with a 67 T2 along with Bubba Watson (65) and Ryan Palmer (66). Martin Laird struggled all day but was still tied for the lead with two holes to play, but hit into the gallery on the 17th then hooked his tee shot into the aqua on the 18th for a bogey, double bogey finish (72)


Graham DeLaet showed a welcome return to form with a strong  67 T7 -11 good for over $211,000. Both Nick Taylor 70, and Corey Renfrew 66, T59 worth $13,734.


I've long argued that going to play in Europe and learning to cope with different cultures, countries, terrains, food, failure, loneliness, illness better prepares you for the PGA Tour and indeed life than all the beautifully manicured courses, comfort food etal on the Web.com tour and this quote from Koepka after wards confirms my position..


"I didn't think I would work my way up this quickly, but playing the Challenge and European tours led to this. And especially the failure I've had. I can't tell you how much I learned from that."


Get used to this young man folks, he hits it a mile, has all the tools and has honed his game travelling the world with his Florida team mate, former U.S. Amateur champion Peter Uihlein, he hasn't just arrived, he's been here for 2 years... or should I say...there...!


Bryan Angus