SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. — So apparently there is something that makes Brooks Koepka as nervous as when he’s protecting a two-shot lead at the U.S. Open.
“Oh, yeah, anytime you say, ‘We need to talk,’ ” said his girlfriend, Jena Sims, after Koepka held on for victory despite hitting the grandstand with his fairway shot at the 18th hole. “But we’re pretty cool. We’re chill. We’re friends. We’re good.’’
Sure looked like it when Koepka emerged from the scorer’s tent at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, gave Sims a kiss and headed for the trophy ceremony after having won the U.S. Open title for the second year in a row. It was Joe Buck’s big shot at a mulligan, too.
After Koepka’s victory last year, Buck, Fox Sports' lead commentator for the U.S. Open broadcast, identified Koepka’s girlfriend as Becky Edwards. She’s a soccer player who had moved overseas to play professionally and was no longer dating Koepka. Sims, a 29-year-old actress and model, was already in the picture.
In came the text messages after Buck’s gaffe.
“I mean, it was pretty quick,’’ Sims told USA TODAY Sports with a smile. “My friends and family were watching it.
“It was fine. I’m tough. I can handle it.’’
So she has forgiven Buck?
“Of course,’’ Sims said. “He clarified my name this week, so I appreciate it. But I didn’t really care. …
“He talked to Brooks. They met up at that baseball game last year, but I was working so I didn’t get to go and experience that.’’
She did get to experience a second U.S. Open victory with Koepka, and a second chance to be properly identified on Fox’s telecast.