Brooks Koepka: 5 things to know about the 2017 U.S. Open champion
ERIN, Wis. — Brooks Koepka blitzed Erin Hills with a five-under 67 on Sunday to win the 117th U.S. Open by four shots over Brian Harman. Here are five things you need to know about golf's newest champion.
1. He's 27 and from West Palm Beach, Fla., and he now lives in Jupiter, Fla. He played collegiately at Florida State and turned professional in 2012. He missed out on qualifying for the PGA Tour, so he went to the Challenge tour and was eventually promoted to the European tour (and won once). He joined the PGA Tour in 2014.
2. His lone PGA Tour victory prior to winning the U.S. Open was at the 2015 Waste Management Phoenix Open. He's the world's 22nd-ranked player but is now projected to vault to 10th.
3. He has a younger brother, Chase, who also played golf at FSU. Brooks asked Zurich Classic organizers to give his brother an exemption into this year's tournament, which was a team format, and they joined forces. "We could either kill each other or it could be an awesome week," Brooks said before it started. They tied for fifth. Chase plays on the Challenge and European tours.
4. Koepka has had a strong 2016-17 season before Sunday's win. He had six top 25s and four top 10s.
5. Not just a world-class golfer, he was also a great baseball player. It's in his blood. His great uncle, Dick Groat, won two World Series with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was also the 1960 NL MVP.
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