Koepka Rallies to Win Turkish Airlines Open


Brooks Koepka fired a 7-under 65 Sunday to overcome a two-stroke deficit to 54-hole leader Wade Ormsby and win the Turkish Airlines Open. The third of four events in the European Tour's season-ending Final Series was held at the Montgomerie Maxx Royal golf course.

The 24-year-old from Florida carded five birdies and an eagle to finish 72 holes at 17-under 271, a stroke ahead of England's Ian Poulter, who shot a 67.

Koepka won four times - including three titles last year - on the European Tour's developmental circuit, the Challenge Tour. But the victory Sunday was his first on the big circuits either in Europe or the U.S.

"It's a special week obviously, these four events and the Race to Dubai are ones you prepare for all year, and to win one of them is very special," Koepka told the European Tour's website. "I feel like I've been playing really well. I've been knocking on the door, and these last maybe two, three months, I've been very close over here and in the States - I felt like I should have won a couple.

"But I've been knocking on the door and I've learned something every time, and used that today. I was very relaxed, very calm today, and it showed I guess," he added. "To look where I was a year and a half ago on the Challenge Tour and now to be a winner on the European Tour is incredible, especially winning four times there and winning out here, it's very special. So I'm excited to get to next week and hopefully carry my form over."

Poulter began Saturday's third round three strokes ahead of Zimbabwe's Brendon de Jonge. After starting with a 64 and 66, the 38-year-old Englishman was firmly in charge of the tournament. But Saturday afternoon he muddled through a bogey-filled 75 to drop a stroke off the pace.

Poulter was still miffed at himself for his poor third round. "The damage was done on Saturday. That, for me, is really disappointing. To have played three great rounds of golf, and just one blip on Saturday, which is a real shame."

Poulter had a chance to force extra holes but just missed his tying birdie attempt on the par-4 18th. "So you know, it's frustrating, it is what it is. There's no other word for it. Yes, I'm going to be angry. I'll be angry for a good few days. But that's fine. I'll keep myself in my own little room and have a little chat with myself and come out and win next week."

Sweden's Henrik Stenson fired Sunday's low round of 8-under 64 to move into solo third at 274, and another stroke back were Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez (68), England's Andy Sullivan (67) and Danny Willett (69), and Aussie Ormsby, who finished with a 71.

Lee Westwood and Marcel Siem each posted 71s to tie for eighth at 276.

The maiden victory by Koepka provides a big career boost. In addition to being the favorite to succeed his friend and fellow American Peter Uihlein - who tied for 11th at 278 this week - as the European Tour's Rookie of the Year, the win will move him into the top-35 in the world rankings and a guaranteed spot in the 2015 Masters Tournament.

"It's awesome," added Koepka. "I played well. This field is first-class - some of the best players in the world, and it's nice to get the win. I actually had a little vacation last week, which was nice, kind of recharged the batteries, didn't touch a club. I should take more vacations.

"To jump into the top 50 in the world and be in all the majors and I guess some of the World Golf Championships events, it will be special."

For complete scoring details, visit http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2014/tournamentid=2014090/leaderboard/index.html.