ERIN, US — Brooks Koepka produced a back-nine birdie blitz to win the US Open here Sunday, becoming the seventh consecutive first-time winner of a major with a record-equaling four-shot victory at Erin Hills.
The 27-year-old from Florida fired a five-under-par final round 67 to finish on 16 under for the tournament following a tense duel with compatriot Brian Harman that was settled on the home stretch at the rural Wisconsin course.
Koepka’s 16-under-par total equaled the record for the lowest winning under par total at a US Open set by Rory McIlroy at the 2011 championship.
“That’s probably one of the coolest things I’ve ever experienced and to do it on Father’s Day it’s pretty neat,” Koepka said afterward.
“I didn’t exactly get my dad a card, so this works.”
Third round leader Brian Harman, who had led by one-shot at the start of the round, finished second on 12-under after an even-par 72. He tied with Japanese world No. 4 Hideki Matsuyama, who shot a superb six-under-par 66.
“It bites a little bit right now,” Harman said afterward. “But Brooks played so well today. The conditions were so tough.”
England’s Tommy Fleetwood was alone in fourth place on 11 under after a level-par final round of 72.
Harman and Koepka spent much of the round locked at the top of the leaderboard.
But the turning point in a gripping war of nerves came just after the turn when Harman struggled through back-to-back bogeys on the 12th and 13th.
World No. 22 Koepka then uncorked a brilliant trio of birdies on the 14th, 15th and 16th holes to surge into a four-shot lead and virtually assure himself of the title.
“That was kind of lights out,” Harman said.
Koepka’s win extended a remarkable run of victories by players who had never previously won a major. Since Jason Day lifted the 2015 PGA Championship, every major championship has been won by a first-timer.
Koepka, a close friend and training partner of world number one and 2016 US Open champion Dustin Johnson, had only won one title on the PGA Tour since turning professional in 2012.
Justin Thomas, the hero of the third round after a record-breaking nine-under-par 63, saw his challenge wilt with a three-over-par 75.
Englishman Tommy Fleetwood shot 72 to finish fourth on 11-under, with Americans Bill Haas, Xander Schauffele and Rickie Fowler another stroke back.
After days of being humbled, Erin Hills turned nasty for the final round as heavy winds pummeled the links-style layout adding an intriguing wrinkle to the year’s second major.
But Koepka would not be blown off course producing a near-flawless final round, subduing the winds with a mix of power and precision.
“Obviously the wind picked up and I felt like that played right in my hand,” said Koepka.
Having spent a good part of his golfing apprenticeship traveling the globe sleeping in cars and working his way up through the European minor tour, Koepka now steps into the US sporting spotlight.
One of golf’s biggest hitters, the 27-year-old also demonstrated a killer instinct along with a deft touch with the putter, rolling in a monster 41-foot birdie putt at the eighth.
When Matsuyama, at number four the highest ranked player to make the cut, delivered the round of the day a six-under 66 to get within one of the lead, a rampaging Koepka countered with golf’s version of the knockout punch, clinching victory in ruthless style by registering three straight birdies from the 14th. — Agencies
