The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Major champion made in the Highlands.
US Open champion almost quit game during north event
US Open champion Brooks Koepka admitted his victory at the Scottish Hydro Challenge at Spey Valley was a defining step on his rapid rise from Challenge Tour player to major champion.
The American equalled the US Open’s lowest winning score of 16 under par – matching the tournament scoring record set by Rory McIlroy at Congressional in 2011 – to claim his first major at Erin Hills, Wisconsin, on Sunday and a first prize of £1.6million.
The 27-year-old began the day a shot off the lead but fired six birdies and a solitary bogey to finish four strokes ahead of overnight leader Brian Harman and Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama, with England’s Tommy Fleetwood a shot further back in fourth.
The victory elevates the 27-year-old to the top of the sport – only four years after winning at Aviemore.
Koepka took up the sport of golf at the age of 10 when he was banned from contact sports after being involved in a car accident.
The American proved to be a natural but opted to take the road less travelled by young American golfers by joining the Challenge Tour in 2012 rather than playing on the second or third tier circuits in his homeland.
His opening season on the European Tour’s feeder tour was impressive and included a first professional victory at the Catalunya Challenge.
Koepka built on that momentum the following year and early season wins at the Montecchia Open in Italy and the Fred Olsen Challenge in Spain meant he required only one more victory to earn automatic promotion to the European Tour.
The American went on to claim his hat-trick with a three-shot victory at Spey Valley on June 24, 2013 to secure his status as a European Tour player.
But, after winning the US Open at the weekend, Koepka confessed he endured plenty of soul searching during his week at Aviemore.
He said: “There was a low point. I called Blake Smith, my manager, 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.
“I called him and said I don't even want to play. I just want to go home.
“I don't want to say homesick, I was just tired of golf and 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.
“For some reason I just wanted to get out and go home. I don't know why.
“I've never felt that way. I don't even know what was going on.
“It was one of those things, I think I had played so many weeks in a row without a day off and it really got to me.”
But Koepka believes playing on the Challenge Tour provided him with the perfect foundation for a career in golf.
He said: “Going over to play the Challenge Tour was really cool.
“Getting to travel the world at 21 and do what you do for a living is pretty neat.
“I love travelling. I'll go anywhere. It's so much fun and some of the places we went to were great.
“To go there and compete in Europe helped me grow up a little bit and really figure out what can be achieved in golf. I took a lot of confidence from winning those three Challenge Tour events.”
“I called him and said I don’t even want to play. I just want to go home. I was tired of golf and tired of travelling”
Koepka always felt he was destined for big things.
After winning the Scottish Hydro Challenge, he said: “Hopefully, I will win on the European Tour next season.
“I know it sounds a little bit cocky but I have high expectations.
“Maybe they are borderline too high but it is good to always push yourself and never be satisfied.”
Unsurprisingly, Koepka achieved his goal the following season by winning the Turkish Airlines Open and collecting a cheque for £815,000. Since then, the American has opted to play the majority of his golf on the PGA Tour.
Sunday’s success at Erin Hills was Koepka’s first win since the Phoenix Open in February 2015 but it is unlikely to be the last.
He added: “I'd won once on the PGA Tour and once on the European Tour but I had I put myself in contention so many times. I don't want to say I was unlucky but it just never came together for me. It was the same in the majors. I have had some good chances but it never really worked out.
“I felt like I should be winning more often.
“I’m not a big fan of losing, I don’t think anyone is who plays at this level.
“It feels amazing to get my name on the US Open trophy alongside so many other great names.
“It is truly an honour.”
“I know it sounds a little bit cocky but I have high expectations”