Koepka holds off Tiger to win PGA Championship
Brooks Koepka won his 3rd major in 15 months on a fascinating final day at Bellerive, where Keel Timmins wraps up the best of the action
What happened at the PGA Championship?
Brooks Koepka held off a resurgent Tiger Woods to win the PGA Championship and secure his third major title on what was a thrilling final day at Bellerive Country Club.
In many ways, this felt like a vintage Sunday from a decade ago. Woods was rolling in putts, hitting miracle recovery shots around trees and greeting made putts with classic fist-pumps.
But for Woods, a 64 wasn’t enough. Perhaps if he was up against anyone other than the machine-like Koepka, he may well have been walking away from Bellerive with his 15th major championship, and in the process, completing arguably the greatest comeback sport has ever seen.
Somehow, it wasn’t to be. On this performance, Koepka may not be human. The 28-year-old – who successfully defended his U.S. Open title two months ago at Shinnecock Hills – looked down at one of the best leaderboards of the year on a Sunday afternoon, which was headlined by a certain Woods, and didn’t flinch.
Well, perhaps that doesn’t tell quite the whole story.
When Koepka made back-to-back bogeys on the front-nine, he reeled off three straight birdies and then played the back-nine bogey-free.
A few groups ahead, Woods was making huge moves. Draped in traditional Sunday red, Woods went out in a stunning 32 without hitting a fairway.
He eventually put that right at the 10th, and would then go on to make birdies at 12, 13 and 15 to sit just one-shot back of Koepka.
The par-5 17th was always going to be where the tournament was won or lost. When Woods sliced his drive into the creek, his fate was sealed. But that didn’t stop him from saving a miraculous par and then draining a lengthy birdie on the final hole to sign off in style.
As for Koepka – this man doesn’t show emotion. It’s generally accepted in the golfing world that, when the champion in-waiting is about to putt out for the win, they’ll mark their ball no matter the distance from the hole to take the adulation from the crowds when the ball eventually hits the bottom of the cup.
Koepka rolled his lengthy birdie effort to within a few inches and then tapped it in, as if he didn’t quite realise what it was for, or perhaps, he didn’t really care.
Brooks Koepka. 2018 PGA Champion.#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/DTxN3rLACi
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) August 12, 2018
It was in stark contrast to Woods’s larger-than-life fist-pump on the 18th green for birdie just minutes earlier to finish solo second.
What else would you expect? Tiger finishes with a birdie.#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/8ESC2edpgX
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) August 12, 2018
Koepka’s playing partner, Adam Scott, had a genuine chance coming up the 18th hole, but his pulled drive put the end to his chances. The Aussie’s putt for bogey and third place was the final shot of the tournament after Koepka didn’t bother to wait to tap in. Perhaps the American was rushing to catch the baseball match on TV.
Now, how many days until April 11th?
Full PGA Championship leaderboard
Best moments
Major respect ✊? pic.twitter.com/INMj5RTMW7
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) August 12, 2018
Brooks by 2.#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/Ogodoq70PK
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) August 12, 2018
248 yards in a straight line. To 6 feet.#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/W8DPMIfok1
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) August 12, 2018
Middle of the cup from Brooks. He leads.#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/21t5pKuLFi
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) August 12, 2018
Easy birdie for Tiger.#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/OlaH3GyrFb
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) August 12, 2018
That was pretty close.#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/jcNcnX5mFI
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) August 12, 2018
We are tied.#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/FmN0WC5CA0
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) August 12, 2018
Adam Scot AGAIN!#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/nonienk1gy
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) August 12, 2018
Before it even went in the hole. #PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/H65EaMiK4R
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) August 12, 2018
Another Tiger birdie. Two back. T-2. pic.twitter.com/TxuWduhZYN
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) August 12, 2018
A little fist pump from Adam Scott…#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/zdbEKr9npz
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) August 12, 2018
Sunday roars for Tiger. ?⬆️#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/6NeTc2ITM4
— PGA of America (@PGA) August 12, 2018
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) August 12, 2018
Chills. Oh, Tiger.#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/a9A4oElYKz
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) August 12, 2018
Just lovely.#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/3UdsLEqhIg
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) August 12, 2018
Birdie. Tiger. His third today. #PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/zeeaIMA852
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) August 12, 2018
They keep pouring in for JT. #PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/xMzB7txhj0
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) August 12, 2018
Birdie for Brooks to extend his lead.
Turn on CBS now! pic.twitter.com/EXZJMBAjT4
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) August 12, 2018
Take a deep breath. #PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/FkpChyeZzd
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) August 12, 2018
Fantastic.#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/xKwtpuU7eV
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) August 12, 2018
Should the PGA Championship be stripped of its major status?
It’s time you started showing Koepka some respect
Can we all just finally accept that Tiger is going to win another major?
Tom Irwin
Tom is a lifetime golfer, now over 30 years playing the game. 2023 marks 10 years in golf publishing and he is still holding down a + handicap at Alwoodley in Leeds. He has played over 600 golf courses, and has been a member of at least four including his first love Louth, in Lincolnshire. Tom likes unbranded clothing, natural fibres, and pencil bags. Seacroft in Lincolnshire is where it starts and ends.
