Five major championships, two consecutive U.S. Opens, three PGA Championships, and unbreakable mental toughness: Brooks Koepka has made power, long irons, and simplicity the keys to his success.
Brooks Koepka is one of the greatest major champion golfers of his generation: five titles between 2017 and 2023, including two consecutive U.S. Opens and three PGA Championships. Here is his biography, his list of achievements, the secrets of his game, and golf lessons from the site to help you improve in the same areas.
Who is Brooks Koepka?
Brooks Koepka is an American golfer born on May 3, 1990, in West Palm Beach, Florida. After playing college golf at Florida State University, he turned pro in 2012 and began his career in Europe. On the Challenge Tour, Europe’s second-tier circuit, he won three tournaments in 2013, thereby earning his card for the European Tour. In 2014, he won the Turkish Airlines Open and was named Rookie of the Year.
He won his first PGA Tour event at the 2015 Phoenix Open, then went on to win a string of majors starting in 2017. In October 2018, he became the world No. 1, a ranking he would hold for a total of 47 weeks. After a difficult stretch, he returned to the forefront in 2023 with his fifth major victory.
He played on the LIV Golf Tour from 2022 to 2025 as captain of the Smash GC team and won five tournaments there. He returned to the PGA Tour in 2026.
Brooks Koepka's Career Highlights
Brooks Koepka is the first player since Curtis Strange in 1988 and 1989 to defend his title at the U.S. Open. With three PGA Championship titles, he joins Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods, the only other players to have won at least three since the tournament switched to stroke play.
| Year | Major Tournament | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | U.S. Open (Erin Hills) | -16, 4 strokes ahead: a tournament record, tied with Rory McIlroy (2011) |
| 2018 | U.S. Open (Shinnecock Hills) | +1, 1 stroke ahead Tommy Fleetwood |
| 2018 | PGA Championship (Bellerive) | -16, 2 strokes ahead of Tiger Woods |
| 2019 | PGA Championship (Bethpage Black) | -8, 2 strokes ahead of Dustin Johnson |
| 2023 | PGA Championship (Oak Hill) | -9, 2 strokes ahead Scottie Scheffler and Viktor Hovland |
In addition to these five majors, he has 9 victories on the PGA Tour (including the 2019 WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational and two Phoenix Opens), 7 on the European Tour, 2 in Japan (the 2016 and 2017 Dunlop Phoenix), 4 on the Challenge Tour, and 5 on the LIV Golf Tour. He has competed in four Ryder Cups (2016, 2018, 2021, 2023), including the 2018 edition at Le Golf National in France, and won the 2017 Presidents Cup. He finished second at the 2023 Masters, behind Jon Rahm.
Brooks Koepka's Game
Power and fade
Brooks Koepka relies first and foremost on a long, solid driving shot. TrackMan data published by Golf.com describe a “power fade”: a ball that curves slightly from left to right, struck hard, which he controls without fear of the left side. To learn more: Driving, Draw or Fade and Speed, Power, and Distance.
Formidable long irons
His iron play makes all the difference in major tournaments. In 2019, he was the best player on the PGA Tour on shots from 175 to 200 yards: high irons that land softly on firm greens. An analysis by Golf.com showed that between 2014 and 2018, he shot 1.6 strokes better per round in majors than in regular tournaments, thanks mainly to his irons and his putting. Check out our lessons for compress the ball with the irons.
The mindset of a major leaguer
His mindset is what truly sets him apart. He views major tournaments as a numbers game: out of 156 players in the field, many don’t play well the following week, others crack under the pressure, so only a few true rivals remain. On the course, he keeps things as simple as possible: spot the target, take the shot—without getting bogged down in technique. A useful lesson for amateurs who overcomplicate things: Psychology and Mental Game and Pre-shot routine.
His team
His swing has long been emulated by Claude Harmon III, starting in 2013. Peter Cowen, who was initially his short game coach, then took over his entire game alongside Jeff Pierce, who was in charge of putting, in January 2025.
Lessons on Best Golf Tips
Video lessons from Brooks Koepka, summarized, will be available soon on this page. In the meantime, here are the sections of the site that correspond to the strengths of his game:
- The Big Game: Driving, Speed, Power, and Distance, Draw or Fade.
- Irons: compress the ball, Intent and Target.
- The Mind: Psychology and Mental Game, Pre-shot routine, Course Management.
See also the profiles of his coaches Claude Harmon III and Peter Cowen, and those of Tiger Woods, Bryson DeChambeau and Rory McIlroy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Brooks Koepka: Career Highlights, Drive, Mental Game, and Golf Lessons on Video
How old is Brooks Koepka?
Brooks Koepka was born on May 3, 1990, in West Palm Beach, Florida; he is 36 years old.
How many majors has Brooks Koepka won?
Five: the U.S. Open in 2017 and 2018, and the PGA Championship in 2018, 2019, and 2023.
Is Brooks Koepka playing on the LIV Golf Tour?
Not anymore. He played on the LIV Golf Tour from 2022 to 2025 as captain of the Smash GC team and won five tournaments there. He returned to the PGA Tour in 2026.
How many PGA Tour victories does Brooks Koepka have?
Nine victories on the PGA Tour, including his five majors, the 2018 CJ Cup, the 2019 WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational, and two Phoenix Opens (2015 and 2021).
Was Brooks Koepka ranked No. 1 in the world?
Yes. He reached the No. 1 spot in the world in October 2018, following his victory at the CJ Cup, and held that position for a total of 47 weeks.
Why did Brooks Koepka start his career in Europe?
After turning pro in 2012, he made his debut on the Challenge Tour, Europe's second-tier circuit. Three victories in 2013 earned him a spot on the European Tour, where he won the 2014 Turkish Airlines Open.
Who are Brooks Koepka's coaches?
Claude Harmon III has been working on his swing since 2013. Since January 2025, Peter Cowen, his longtime short game coach, and Jeff Pierce, his putting coach, have been overseeing his entire game.
