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The Open: 5 Sunday match-ups we want to see at the 2018 British Open

By Kyle Walton

AUGUSTA, GA - APRIL 08: Patrick Reed of the United States and Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland walk on the seventh green during the final round of the 2018 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 8, 2018 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
AUGUSTA, GA - APRIL 08: Patrick Reed of the United States and Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland walk on the seventh green during the final round of the 2018 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 8, 2018 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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HARTFORD, WI – JUNE 18: Brooks Koepka of the United States (L) and Tommy Fleetwood of England walk across the eighth green during the final round of the 2017 U.S. Open at Erin Hills on June 18, 2017 in Hartford, Wisconsin. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
HARTFORD, WI – JUNE 18: Brooks Koepka of the United States (L) and Tommy Fleetwood of England walk across the eighth green during the final round of the 2017 U.S. Open at Erin Hills on June 18, 2017 in Hartford, Wisconsin. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

5. Brooks Koepka vs. Tommy Fleetwood

Just over a month removed from the bloodbath that was Shinnecock Hills, two of 2018’s standout competitors are ready for a Sunday rematch at Carnoustie. Heading into the final round of this year’s U.S. Open Brooks Koepka found himself in a four-way tie for first. Joining Koepka on top were Dustin Johnson, Daniel Berger and Tony Finau (who will all tee it up at The Open as well).

Berger and Finau fell off down the stretch on Sunday while Johnson attempted to stay in contention but was ultimately left behind. Koepka kept his foot on the gas as best he could around the difficult course but it wasn’t the pressure of his playing partners he had to worry about. Earlier in the day, a sensational round by Southport’s Tommy Fleetwood put the entire tournament on notice.

Fleetwood began the final round of the U.S. Open tied for 23rd at 9-over par and six shots behind the group leading the pack. Early on in his closing 18, the pressure to perform and rise to the occasion fueled the near record-breaking effort. As Fleetwood finished with a course-tying 7-under round of 63 all he could do was wait.

In the closing holes at Shinnecock many believed it would come down to a playoff between two of the sports rising stars. As Fleetwood warmed back up after sitting around most of the afternoon Koepka stayed patient and capitalized on his ball striking to take home his second straight U.S. Open victory. Just one stroke came between the highly anticipated playoff between Koepka and Fleetwood.

Both were paired together in the 2017 U.S. Open at Erin Hills but Koepka took home the trophy that day as well. No one can deny Fleetwood had something special going on Sunday at Southampton and would love one more shot at Koepka. If they can stay healthy headed into Carnoustie a rematch could produce magic at The Open.

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