What Rory McIlroy, Brooks Koepka and just seven other players have ever done in US Open history

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When you take Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson out of the equation, it is Brooks Koepka and Rory McIlroy who lead the way in the current game when it comes to the most major titles.

Rory McIlroy looked destined to follow Tiger Woods into double figures when he won four major titles by the end of 2014. He is also one Masters win away from winning the career grand slam. It is no wonder that some consider McIlroy to be the most talented player of his generation.

2014 was a significant year in the career of Brooks Koepka too. The American won on the European Tour for the first time at that year’s Turkish Airlines Open, with his maiden victory on the PGA Tour coming the following season.

Since then, Koepka has established himself as something of a specialist on the big stage. The 34-year-old has now won five major titles – including the US Open on two occasions.

What Rory McIlroy and Brooks Koepka have done in the US Open which only seven other players have achieved

And it turns out that both McIlroy and Koepka – who will face off in The Showdown this month – are part of a very exclusive club when it comes to the US Open having achieved something that just seven other players have managed since the event was played for the very first time in 1895.

Of course, many will remember when McIlroy blew the rest of the field away by winning the event in 2011. The Northern Irishman reached 16 under par at Congressional – maintaining the eight shot lead he had opened up after the third round.

Koepka’s first victory came at Erin Hills six years later, as he finished four shots clear of Brian Harman and Hideki Matsuyama on 12 under par.

A very short history after 129 years of the US Open

And it turns out that the pair are two of just nine players to have ever posted four under par rounds at the same US Open. McIlroy became only the sixth person to achieve that feat in 2011, with Robert Garrigus becoming number five in the same tournament.

Koepka was joined by Charley Hoffman and Brandt Snedeker in 2017. But no player has added their name to that list in the years since.

Given that the US Open often tends to be the most extreme and thorough test of golf on the calendar, it is a real achievement to end up on such a list.

It says everything that it is just a small list after nearly 130 years of the event.