Brooks Koepka is one of the most dominant players in major championship golf. It all started when he took the rest of the field by storm during the 2017 U.S. Open at Erin Hills. Watch his full journey from Thursday through Sunday.
Brooks Koepka’s Dominance at the 2017 U.S. Open: A Record-Breaking Triumph
The 2017 U.S. Open Championship, the 117th installment of this prestigious golf tournament, will always be remembered as the year Brooks Koepka etched his name into golf history.
Held from June 15 to June 18 at the stunning Erin Hills golf course in Erin, Wisconsin, this U.S. Open had its fair share of drama, record-breaking performances, and a first-time champion.
Erin Hills: A New Venue for a Classic Tournament
Erin Hills, located northwest of Milwaukee, played host to its first-ever U.S. Open in 2017, marking a historic moment for Wisconsin’s golf fans.
However, this wasn’t the first major event for the course, as it had previously hosted the U.S. Amateur in 2011.
This championship also marked the first U.S. Open since 1992 to be played at par 72, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the competition.
A Record Purse and Winner’s Share
The 2017 U.S. Open was not only about golfing prowess but also the eye-popping purse.
With a staggering $12 million up for grabs, it set a new record for a major tournament.
What’s more, the winner’s share crossed the $2 million mark for the first time, with Brooks Koepka taking home an impressive $2.16 million for his victory.
Round One: Fowler’s Record Start
The tournament got off to an exhilarating start, with Rickie Fowler tying the U.S. Open record for the lowest first-round score relative to par. Fowler’s bogey-free round of 65 (-7) gave him a one-shot lead over Paul Casey and Xander Schauffele.
The course was generous, allowing 44 under-par rounds, but several pre-tournament favorites struggled, including Dustin Johnson, Rory McIlroy, and Jason Day.
Second Round: Four-way Tie at the Top
The excitement continued into the second round, where four players found themselves tied for the lead, a rare occurrence not seen since 1974.
Paul Casey, Tommy Fleetwood, Brian Harman, and Brooks Koepka were at the summit, with Koepka making four birdies on the front nine.
Notably, Hideki Matsuyama and Chez Reavie both shot a remarkable 65 (-7), a first in U.S. Open history.
With 42 players under par after 36 holes, a new tournament record was set.
Third Round: Thomas Makes History
The third round saw overnight rains and calm conditions leading to low scores.
Brian Harman took a one-shot lead with a score of 67 (-5), but the highlight was Justin Thomas, who played a historic round.
Thomas’s eagle on the 18th hole gave him a score of 63 (-9), tying the major championship record and setting a new U.S. Open record for the lowest score relative to par.
Final Round: Koepka’s Triumph
In a thrilling final round, Brooks Koepka soared to victory. Starting a shot behind the leader, Koepka erased the deficit with birdies on his first two holes.
He maintained his composure throughout, finishing with a round of 67 (-5) and a total score of 16-under par, matching Rory McIlroy’s tournament scoring record from 2011.
Koepka’s victory was by a margin of four strokes over Brian Harman and Hideki Matsuyama.
