It might not quite be enough to label it a good old tabloid-style “war of words”, but there have been a number of digs at the PGA Championship – none better than Rory McIlroy at Brooks Koepka.
To set the scene, four-time major champion Koepka had been asked following the third round how he felt going into Sunday two shots behind Dustin Johnson.
“I like my chances,” he replied. “When I’ve been in this position before, I’ve capitalised. I don’t know, [DJ’s] only won one.”
An unnecessary blow? McIlroy thinks so. And he wasn’t afraid to say so.
“It’s a very different mentality to bring to golf that I don’t think a lot of golfers have,” he said.
“I heard the interview and was taken aback by what he said and whether he was trying to play mind games or not. If he’s trying to play mind games, he’s trying to do it to the wrong person..
“I certainly try to respect everyone out here. Everyone is a great player. If you’ve won a major championship, you’re a hell of a player. Doesn’t mean you’ve only won one. You’ve won one, and you’ve had to do a lot of good things to do that.
“[It’s] hard to knock a guy that’s got 21 wins on the PGA Tour, which is three times what Brooks has.”
All you can really do is wonder how Koepka will react.
- More from the PGA: The incredible stats behind Morikawa’s win
- More from the PGA: McIlroy restores faith with act of sportsmanship
- More from the PGA: Fowler misses cut after rookie mistake
Follow NCG on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram – and don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel for the latest equipment and golf course reviews and exclusive interviews.
[post_list category=39894 title=””]
Alex Perry
