Brooks Koepka Facts: 30 Things You Didn’t Know About The LIV Golfer

Brooks Koepka is an American golfer who has enjoyed a highly-successful pro career all around the world. On top of five Majors so far, he has won on the DP World Tour, the PGA Tour, and the LIV Golf League. Find out more about his life and journey through the game via these facts.

BROOKS KOEPKA FACTS

1. Brooks Koepka was born on May 3, 1990 in West Palm Beach, Florida.

2. Koepka started playing golf when he was 10 years old following a car crash that left him with facial injuries meant he was banned from playing contact sports.

3. He won three events while at Florida State University and became a three-time All American.

4. Koepka’s great-uncle Dick Groat played shortstop for the Pittsburgh Pirates, won two World Series and was the 1960 National League MVP.

5. His first professional victory was at the 2012 Challenge de Catalunya on the Challenge Tour in Europe.

6. In his third professional victory, the 2013 Fred Olsen Challenge de España, Koepka set the tournament record (260, -24) and won by 10 strokes.

7. Koepka was Rookie of the Year on the European Tour in 2014 and on the PGA Tour in 2015 – he won the Phoenix Open that year and finished 10th in the Open Championship.

8. Koepka's wife Jena Sims, who is often seen celebrating with him after victories is an actress who has been in films alongside the likes of Morgan Freeman, Robert DeNiro and Michael Douglas. She also runs an award-winning non-profit organization called Pageant of Hope. Jena has a big social media presence with over 280,000 Instagram followers.

9. Brooks has a brother called Chase who is also a touring professional. Chase has played on the European and Challenge Tours, and most recently was on the same LIV Golf team with Brooks. After a difficult 2023 season, Chase was relegated from the Smash GC team.

10. Brooks Koepka won his first Major at the 2017 US Open (Erin Hills).

11. He was named PGA Tour Player of the Year for the 2017-18 season and also won the PGA of America Player of the Year award in 2018 and 2019.

12. Aside from Tiger Woods, he is the first golfer to win in his first start of a new season after winning the PGA Tour Player of the Year award.

13. Koepka defended the US Open for his second Major in 2018. During his 2018 US Open victory, Koepka shot a five-over 75 in the first round at Shinnecock Hills. The last person to shoot five-over or worse in the US Open and win was Raymond Floyd in 1986, also at Shinnecock Hills.

14. His CJ Cup victory in October 2018 was his 12th professional victory and lifted him to World No.1.

15. His hobbies include jet skiing, fishing and paddleboarding.

16. His favorite sports teams are the Florida Panthers, Manchester United, the Los Angeles Lakers and Green Bay Packers.

17. Majors three and four arrived via the 2018 and 2019 PGA Championships, respectively.

18. Koepka is only the fifth player in history to win the US Open and PGA Championship in the same year. The others were Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.

19. He has made a hole-in-one three times during his career.

20. Koepka was the first golfer to ever win back-to-back Majors at the same time, by defending the US Open and also the PGA Championship.

21. Only two active golfers have more Major wins than Koepka - Phil Mickelson (six) and Tiger Woods (15).

22. After having no club contract for a long time following Nike's departure from the equipment sphere, Koepka signed with Srixon in 2021. It was a deal that saw him put a Srixon driver, Srixon irons, Cleveland wedges, and Srixon ball into play as well as a Srixon Staff Bag. He is still sponsored by Nike for his apparel.

23. Koepka’s caddie is Ricky Elliott, who is originally from Portrush in Northern Ireland. Before joining Koepka in 2013, Elliott caddied for Maarten Lafeber, Ben Curtis and Matt Fitzpatrick.

24. Having said some golfers would "sell out" and join LIV Golf in February 2022, Koepka joined LIV himself just four months later in June. He signed for a reported fee of more than $100m and went on to win the LIV Golf Jeddah Invitational in October.

25. He averaged 312.6 yards in driving distance during the 2024 LIV Golf season. He averaged 310.7 yards in his last full season on the PGA Tour in 2021, 12th best on tour at the time.

26. Koepka appeared in the second episode of Netflix docuseries, Full Swing, which premiered in February 2023. In the series, Koepka opened up on his mental and injury struggles during his win drought following his fourth Major victory.

27. He has won five LIV Golf League titles so far - the most of anyone in the PIF-backed circuit.

28. Koepka has made four consecutive Ryder Cup appearances for Team USA, winning on debut in 2016 and again at home in 2021.

29. Koepka's favorite golf course in the world is the Old Course at St Andrews.

30. Koepka teamed up with Bryson DeChambeau to take on Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy in a made-for-TV match called 'The Showdown' at Shadow Creek Golf Club in 2024.

BROOKS KOEPKA BIO

BROOKS KOEPKA PRO WINS

How far does Brooks Koepka hit the ball?

During his time on the PGA Tour, Koepka was one of the best drivers on tour, averaging 310.7 yards in his last full season in 2021. In the LIV Golf League, he averaged 312.6 yards in the 2024 season.

Brooks Koepka career earnings

Koepka has won over $90m across his career, according to Sportrac. That does not include the reported $100m deal he signed when joining LIV Golf.

How much did LIV Golf pay Brooks Koepka?

Koepka signed a deal reportedly worth around $100 million when he joined LIV Golf in 2022.

Who is Brooks Koepka’s wife? 

Koepka’s wife is actress Jena Sims. She is often seen celebrating with him after victories. She also featured heavily alongside Brooks in the Netflix docuseries Full Swing. The couple welcomed their first child, Crew, in 2023.