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Koepka's cashing in on major talent at golf's biggest events

Ross Kinnaird / Getty Images Sport / Getty

He may not be the top-ranked player in the world, and he only has three career PGA Tour wins to his name, but when it comes to golf's biggest events, there's no player better right now than Brooks Koepka.

Built more like a linebacker than a golfer, the burly 28-year-old laid a beatdown on the U.S. Open field for the second straight year, finishing with a 2-under-par 68 to retain the title.

If you've tuned in to watch any of golf's four majors in recent years, there's a very good chance Koepka's name has been near the top of the leaderboard.

The last 10 starts by Koepka in the majors has resulted in two victories and an astonishing nine finishes in the top 13. His only showing outside the top 13 was a 21st-place finish at the 2016 Masters.

2015 Open Championship: T-10
2015 PGA Championship: T-5
2016 Masters: T-21
2016 U.S. Open: T-13
2016 PGA Championship: T-4
2017 Masters: T-11
2017 U.S. Open: 1st
2017 Open Championship: T-6
2017 PGA Championship: T-13
2018 U.S. Open: 1st

It's easy to look at Koepka and attribute his success to the fact that he hits the snot outta the golf ball. There's no better specimen on the PGA Tour, and he showed off his brute strength once again by finishing second in the field in driving distance at Shinnecock Hills.

Simply referring to Kopeka as a bomber doesn't give the rest of his game the respect it deserves however, as he showed throughout the four days that his game is as well-rounded as anybody on Tour.

Koepka finished the week leading the field in strokes gained: approach, firing at one flag after another with pinpoint accuracy. The former Florida State star knew what to do when he got to the green as well, as he completed the event third in strokes gained: putting, including numerous clutch par- and bogey-saving putts on Sunday.

In the off-chance that the ball-striking wizard found himself out of position, Koepka showed off a well-polished touch from around the greens as well, playing a variety of shots to perfection.

That part of his game can likely be attributed to his time on the European Tour, a background that paid massive dividends at a links-style course such as Shinnecock Hills.

Unlike the majority of young American players, Koepka cut his teeth as a pro on the circuit across the ocean before making the move to the PGA Tour full time. That training was certainly different than what players get used to in the United States, something Koepka admitted was a benefit.

"In the States, sometimes it can almost be too easy," Koepka said to the Guardian early in his career. "The way you travel, the fact you always have perfect weather. It is a little different here (in Europe)."

With the next major on the calendar the Open Championship at Carnoustie, it won't be a shock to anyone if Kopeka once again dominates the links-style setup for another win at golf's biggest events.

A word to the wise however, bet the man right now, because his impressive resume will certainly have oddsmakers listing him among the favorites in any major for the foreseeable future.

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