Koepka’s 72-hole total of 16-under 272 was four strokes shy of the championship record registered by Rory McIlroy in 2011 at par-71 Congressional Country Club, and it tied the Northern Irishman’s mark in relation to par. He also became the seventh consecutive first-time major champion and the third American in a row to win the U.S. Open, the first time that’s happened since 2000 when Tiger Woods followed Payne Stewart and Lee Janzen.
Through nine holes, it appeared the championship would come down to a Koepka-Harman duel, and when the former registered his first three-putt of the championship on No. 10 for a bogey 5, the two dead-locked at 13 under. Things could have unraveled for Koepka two holes later, but he converted a 9-foot par putt. That set the stage for his birdie barrage, including a 17-footer on the par-3 16th to reach 16 under.
When Harman made a bogey 5 on the par-4 12th and a rare three-putt on 13th, any drama was all but removed. “I don't believe in moral victories,” said Harman, the 2003 U.S. Junior Amateur champion who was vying to become the first left-handed golfer to hoist the U.S. Open Trophy. “I had an opportunity today, and I didn't get it done. But at the same time, I don't feel as though I lost a golf tournament. I think Brooks went out and won the tournament.”
Matsuyama made a late run with five birdies over his final eight holes to get into the clubhouse at 12 under, but Koepka never wavered, producing a pair of pars on 17 and 18 to seal the win.
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