Brooks Koepka won the PGA Championship this Sunday by signing a card of 67 strokes, a final result of -9 and two strokes from distance over Norwegians Viktor Hovland (-7) and Scotty Scheffler (-7) who snatched the number one . For Spanish John Rahm in the world.
This is his third PGA Championship, following wins in 2018 and 2019, and his fifth ‘major’, as he was also declared champion of the United States Open in 2017 and 2018.
Koepka, the first golfer to succeed in a ‘major’ from the controversial Saudi LIV golf, also enters a select club of twenty that have at least five ‘majors’. He tied legends such as Gene Sarazen and Sam Snead with three PGA titles. Tiger Woods with four, as well as Walter Hagen and Jack Nicklaus, are still ahead.
Koepka was given an emotional reception at the Oak Hill Course in Rochester. ‘Wanamaker Trophy’: “I’m so happy right now, I’m speechless, it’s the best. And to do it in New York, which is like a second home to me, is a special place.”
The best cards of the day were signed by Australians Cam Davis and Cameron Smith, Austrian Sepp Straka and Americans Kurt Kitayama and Scotty Scheffler with 65 shots each.
The latter had real chances of victory. Even his last ‘birdie’ on par 18 put the pressure on Koepka and Hovland, who were coming from behind. Scheffler became the new number one in the world by finishing second in the tournament.
Hovland’s ‘double-bogey’ on the 16th locked himself in a bunker, ending his chances of victory and with a very solid and regular game, Koepka, who made another ‘birdie’ on the same hole ‘ also achieved. – 10 which already put him four strokes ahead of the two chasers.
The ‘Michael Block’ incident
If there’s been a hero this week it’s Michael Block, the PGA instructor in California invited to the tournament and who not only made the cut but competed at the level of the best on the planet and was champion among non-pros.
He has been one of the entertainers of the tournament. His engagement with the public has been perfect, but he reserved the standing ovation for this Sunday with an incredible hole on the fifteenth. The ball didn’t even bounce on the green: it landed right in the hole.
“I’m living a dream. I’m making sure I enjoy the moment. I’ve learned that after my 46 years of life, nothing is going to get better than this. It just isn’t possible. Everyone has been amazing Well, it’s been great.” Good for me.”, said.
Block finished tied for 15th on the final table and secured a spot for the 2024 edition, but next week he will once again take classes at Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club in California, where he will certainly request all of his classes, which are 45. Charges $125 for the minute. ,
Jon Rahm Loses Number One
Rahm finished his last round with 71 shots, one over par for the field, for a total of +7 that was far from expectations. He started the day brilliantly with two birdies on his first two holes, but was punished with three bogeys on ten, seventeen and 18 in the second round.
The putt that has brought him so much success this season has precisely been his big problem in high position at Oak Hill. His 50th place, added to Scheffler’s second place, saw him lose the world number one.
“The cool thing about this sport is it brings you back down to earth when you think you’re invincible, it reminds you that sport is constant work and just when you think you have it If you stumble again, it keeps you humble,” Rahm said…
His intention to win two ‘Majors’ this season has been delayed after Oak Hill, and he faces the next major challenge in mid-June when the US Open is played in Los Angeles.
Another Spaniard, Pablo Larrazabal, finished Sunday with a card four strokes over par, the same result as on Saturday, for a cumulative score of +12 that puts him in position No. 65.
Chile’s Mito Pereira closed with 67 shots, 3 under par, moving up 15 positions to 18th, with a +2 overall balance.
