Birdie blitz seals victory
BROOKS Koepka produced a back-nine birdie blitz to win the US Open yesterday, becoming the seventh consecutive first-time winner of a major with a record-equalling 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 equalled the record for the lowest winning under par total at a US Open set by Rory McIlroy in 2011.
“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 afterwards.
“I didn’t exactly get my dad a card, so this works.
“To feel as confident as I did on a Sunday of a major and coming down the stretch was pretty neat.”
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. But Brooks played so well today. The conditions were so tough,” Harman said.
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. The turning point in a gripping war of nerves came 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 fourshot lead and virtually assure himself of the title.
“That was kind of lights out,” Harman said. “You’ve got to tip your cap. He went and won the golf tournament on the back nine. I’ve done it before, but he did it today.”
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.