PGA Tour Shot of the Week: Brooks Koepka nearly drops it in the bucket on No. 17

With just days to go before the start of the U.S. Open, one might think that the eyes of the golf world would already be firmly fixed on Oakmont. Apparently, a few ambitious youngsters didn’t get the memo.

The 58th annual FedEx St. Jude Classic, the final PGA Tour event prior to the start of the U.S. Open, played out at TPC Southwind in Memphis over the weekend. 23-year-old Daniel Berger (-13) claimed his first tour victory, and a winner’s share of $1.116 million, with a three stroke win over a field that included Steve Stricker (-10) and veteran Phil Mickelson (-10).

However, it was Brooks Koepka (-10), who finished the tournament tangled up in a three way tie for second place, who wins this week’s shot of the week award, presented by Fossil Trace Golf Club.

The 26-year-old Koepka had struggled at times throughout the final round Sunday, at one point launching an eighth hole shot straight into the water. Furthermore, poor performances on the putting green threatened to cost him a top five finish and a share of FedEx St. Jude’s $6.2 million purse.

Thankfully for Koepka, when it came time to make a push back into the top four, he wouldn’t need to worry much about his short game.

Instead of having to struggle with a difficult putt on No. 17, Koepka launched one of the prettiest approach shots you will ever see, landing on the green just inches from the pin on the par-4 to set up a tap-in for birdie.

Koepka is certainly hoping he can recreate this shot a time or two this weekend at Oakmont, where he is currently given 50/1 odds to win his first major tournament. He finished in a tie for fourth place at last year’s U.S. Open.