American Brooks Koepka pulled away over the final five holes to win the U.S. Open, his first ever major victory. For the 27-year old golfer, it is his eighth and biggest professional victory. This made Koepka the third consecutive American to win the US Open, that first time that has happened since 1998-2000. He is also the seventh straight U.S. Open champion to be a first-time major winner.
Plenty of history before the final round
Once the dust settled on the first 32 holes, it was obvious that this was going to be no ordinary U.S. Open. The top three players in the world missed the cut, the first time that has happened since the World Golf Rankings started in 1986.
In all, eight of the top twelve players in the world missed the cut. By the end of day three, there had already been five rounds of 65 or lower, with the previous high in a U.S. Open tournament having been two. However, there was not a 65 on the last day. Justin Thomas also shot a 63 on Saturday, becoming only the fifth person to do so at a U.S. Open. He also had the lowest score ever in relation to par at -9.
The easiest U.S. Open ever
Through the first 116 U.S. Open's only six players had ever reached a score of -10 or lower. Only Tiger Woods (-12, 2000), Rory McIIroy (-16, 2011) and Martin Kaymer (-9, 2014) have finished with a score of -9 or lower. At this U.S. Open, eight different players finished at -9 or lower.
Brooks Koepka's score of -16 under tied McIIroy's record for lowest score ever, while Brian Harman and Hideki Matsuyama's scores of -12 under tied the second lowest score ever.
How Brooks Koepka secured his first major victory
Hideki Matsuyama birded the 18th hole to enter the clubhouse at -12. Meanwhile, Brian Harman had just bogeyed the 12th hole to fall back to -12 under.
Giving Brooks Koepka a one shot lead at -13 on the 14th hole. Harman would then bogey the 13th hole, to fall into a hole at -11 under he would not get out of. Meanwhile, Koepka shook off any pressure and proceeded to make three consecutive birdies at the 14th, 15th and 16th holes to get to -16 and take a commanding 4-shot lead that he would not let go.
What helped Koepka win the U.S. Open more than anything else was his ability to hit fairways and greens in regulation to stay out of the nasty rough, fescue and bunkers. For the week he was tied for fourth in fairways in regulation hitting 49/56. He was first in the field this week hitting greens in regulation, hitting 62/72 for the week, including 17/18 in the final round.
