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US Open 2017: 5 things we learned

By Akash Anavarathan

Jun 18, 2017; Erin, WI, USA; Brooks Koepka celebrate after sinking his put on the 18th green during the final round of the U.S. Open golf tournament at Erin Hills. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 18, 2017; Erin, WI, USA; Brooks Koepka celebrate after sinking his put on the 18th green during the final round of the U.S. Open golf tournament at Erin Hills. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 14, 2017; Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, USA; Jason Day and Rory McIlroy walk down the 4th fairway during the final round of The Players Championship golf tournament at TPC Sawgrass – Stadium Course. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports
May 14, 2017; Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, USA; Jason Day and Rory McIlroy walk down the 4th fairway during the final round of The Players Championship golf tournament at TPC Sawgrass – Stadium Course. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Golf doesn’t need its top players to be successful

What did we just witness on Sunday? It’s been a while since Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson have been in the mix on Sunday. The world’s best players, Dustin Johnson, Jason Day and Rory McIlroy, were all gone before the weekend even began.

Yet, come Sunday, I was still thoroughly interested in the outcome and watching it till the finish. I didn’t care that the big names were all gone and it was a mix of young golfers that were looking for their first major. The crowd was still into it and Golf Twitter was still alive, rooting on Brooks Koepka through every one of his clutch birdies.

Brian Harman held the lead coming into Sunday by one shot, with Justin Thomas and Tommy Fleetwood in the mix. Hideki Matsuyama had a 6-under 66 and found himself in late contention. It was all too little for Brooks Koepka, who won it all.

So even though the big names and brands in golf weren’t competing late into the afternoon on Sunday, oddly it didn’t matter. As a millennial watching golf, I was appreciating the sport and the way that the golfers competed, rather than looking for star value.

What came away from Sunday is that even when the top players aren’t in contention, the game is still in safe hands with younger players who are highly skilled.

Jun 18, 2017; Erin, WI, USA; Brooks Koepka follows his shot from the 15th tee during the final round of the U.S. Open golf tournament at Erin Hills. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 18, 2017; Erin, WI, USA; Brooks Koepka follows his shot from the 15th tee during the final round of the U.S. Open golf tournament at Erin Hills. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Brooks Koepka has the clutch gene

Michael Jordan in June. Derek Jeter in November. Tom Brady in January. All three of these fantastic athletes have one thing in common: the clutch gene. The power within the player to deliver when the lights are the brightest, the pressure is the greatest and the money is on the line.

I’m not at all saying Brooks Koepka is in the same breadth as Jordan, Jeter or Brady. But the performance he had on Sunday is one for the ages. Let’s set the scene shall we?

The front-nine has been completed and Koepka has worked his way to a one-stroke lead. After a bogey on No. 10, Koepka was now even with Harman. But here’s where the clutch gene comes into play. On Nos. 12 and 13, Harman bogeyed the holes, while Koepka went on to birdie Nos. 14, 15 and 16. Game over.

All of these were beautiful putts, from different angles and distances. With an ease and calmness similar to Jordan, Jeter or Brady, Koepka was able to inch closer to the major championship. It was a fantastic finish by a Koepka and showcased his ability under immense pressure.

Next: US Open 2017: 10 things you need to know

It’s Sunday afternoon in an US Open and Koepka was able to close the deal, while others waltzed under the pressure. Sounds pretty clutch to me.

It’s another US Open completed, with a new champion anointed this year. It was Dustin Johnson last year and it is Brooks Koepka this year. Here are five things that we learned in the 2017 US Open.

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