Byron Nelson, Peter Thomson, Seve Ballesteros … and now Brooks Koepka.

One year removed from making an decision to leave for the LIV Golf League and battling injuries that seemed to threaten his career, Koepka is again a major champion while climbing into another lofty level in the game with his fifth triumph among golf’s biggest four championships.

The 33-year-old Floridian made three straight birdies early in the final round on Sunday at Oak Hill, lost most of his cushion in the middle while battling with young Norwegian star Viktor Hovland, and then birdied the 16th hole while Hovland double-bogeyed. With seven birdies on the day, Koepka shot three-under-par 67 to finish with a nine-under total.

He ultimately won by two shots over World No. 2 Scottie Scheffler, who charged with a 65 on the best day for scoring in sunny Rochester, New York, and Hovland, who closed with a birdie for 70.

Koepka becomes the 20th player in history to win at least five major championships. There are five others who have earned five, including Nelson, Thomson and Ballesteros.

“This is incredible,” Koepka said in the immediate aftermath. “This is wild. I look back to where we were two years ago, everything that’s gone on. I’m just so happy right now.”

Of being the company of those who have won five or more majors, Koepka said, “is, honestly, incredible. I’ll be honest; I;m not sure I dreamed of it as a kid. I’m just happy to do it in front of these New York fans.”

Indeed, this was Koepka’s third major victory in the state, following his 2018 US Open triumph at Shinnecock Hills and 2019 PGA win at Bethpage Black.