KOEPKA WINS BIGGEST TITLE OF CAREER
Globe-trotting star who almost threw in towel wins US Open in style
BROOKS Koepka’s globe-trotting golfing odyssey landed on a fairway to heaven at the US Open as he celebrated a brilliant first major victory. The 27-year-old American took an unconventional route to the top, choosing to launch his career in the relative backwaters of the European Challenge Tour in 2012.
From those unglamorous beginnings, Koepka worked his way up to the full European Tour before later earning his PGA Tour card in 2014.
Along the way, Koepka has won titles in Turkey, Spain, Italy, Scotland and Japan.
But the biggest one of all arrived on Sunday with his win at Erin Hills, which matched the record of 16 under for the lowest winning total in US Open history.
“It’s pretty cool,” Koepka said after clinching the $2.8-million (R36-million) winner’s cheque and the famous US Open trophy.
Koepka said his decision to launch his career in Europe, far from the support structure of family and friends in the United States, had almost become unbearable.
During a tournament on the Challenger Tour, he had come close to quitting, telling his manager he wanted to go home.
“Right before I won the final Challenge Tour event to get to the European Tour, I think it was the night of the third round,” Koepka said.
“I called him and I was like, I don’t even want to play.
“I just wanted to go home. I was kind of -- I don’t want to say homesick – it was just tired of golf.
“Tired of travelling. I just wanted to be home, even though I think I had the lead at that point and was about to win the third one.
“I just wanted to get out and go home. I don’t know why.”
A fourth place at the 2014 US Open had given Koepka a taste of what it might be like to challenge for a major.
Three more top 10 finishes followed, including a tie for fourth at last year’s PGA.
Koepka said on Sunday he had been determined not to let his latest opportunity slip away.
“I felt like I put myself in contention so many times,” he said.
“I just felt like I should be winning more. I don’t know why. It’s one of those things, not a big fan of losing.”
In recent years Koepka has forged a tight friendship with world No 1 Dustin Johnson, last year’s US Open champion.
Koepka said Johnson, who missed the cut in Wisconsin, had called him after Saturday’s third round to offer advice about how to cope with the final round.
“He told me, ‘Just stay patient. Just keep doing what you’re doing, you’re going to win the thing. Just don’t get ahead of yourself’,” Koepka said.
Koepka was unaware that his 16 under total was a record low score when he walked up the 18th fairway.
“It’s a pretty cool accomplishment,” he said. – AFP