Koepka nails Bellerive
> Becomes only the fifth player to win US Open and PGA Championship in same year
BROOKS KOEPKA, holding his nerve to fight off dramatic challenges from Tiger Woods and Adam Scott, won a thrilling back-nine battle yesterday to capture the 100th PGA Championship.
The 28-year-old two-time US Open champion sealed his third major title by firing a 4under 66 to finish 72 holes on 16-under 264, edging Woods by two strokes at Bellerive Country Club with Australia’s Scott another shot adrift.
“To do this is truly incredible,” Koepka said.
As Woods electrified spectators by displaying the form that made him a 14-time major champion, American rival Koepka stayed calm and persevered under intense pressure to claim the Wanamaker Trophy and a top prize of US$1.98 million (RM7.9m).
“I heard all the roars when Tiger made his run,” Koepka said.
“It was the first time Tiger has been in contention and I’ve been in contention at the same time, so the fans definitely let you know what he was doing.
“Scotty played unbelievably well and so did Tiger. They definitely made me question it there for a bit, for sure.”
Koepka fired the lowest 72hole score in tournament history, one shot under the old mark set by American David Toms in 2001 at Atlanta Athletic Club.
Deadlocked for the lead with Scott – who began the back nine with three birdies in four holes – and only one stroke ahead of Woods, Koepka sank a 10-foot birdie putt at the par-4 15th and a sixfoot birdie putt at the par-3 16th then parred the last two holes to secure the victory.
“I missed putts on 14 and 15 and Brooks didn’t and my momentum was gone,” Scott said.
Woods, who hasn’t won a major title since the 2008 US Open and hasn’t won any title in five years, proved he is a legitimate major title contender once again at age 42 with an epic 64, his low final round in a major, which he concluded with a 20-foot birdie putt at 18, the crowd roaring as he walked off. “These fans were so positive all week,” Woods said. “I can’t thank them enough for what they were saying out there and what it meant to me coming back trying to win a major championship again.” Koepka, who defended his US Open crown in June at Shinnecock, became only the fifth player to win the US Open and PGA Championship in the same year, joining Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Gene Sarazen and Ben Hogan.
Woods, who said he wants to be chosen as a captain’s pick for the US Ryder Cup team, was pleased he was able to contend at the PGA and lead in the last round of last month’s British Open.
“I would never have forseen that a year ago,” Woods said.
The impact was dramatic for rivals as well.
“The roars were pretty unbelievable,” Justin Thomas said.
“Any birdie he made everyone went nuts. This was the first real Tiger effect I’ve experienced with that many people,” he added. – AFP
ist exploited overcast conditions and greentinged pitch them expertly in a match haul of nine for 43 that saw him become the first bowler to take 100 Test wickets at Lord’s.
“He’s a special, special commodity, isn’t he?,” said Root of Anderson.
“He’s something that doesn’t come along very often and we’ve got to enjoy him while he’s around,” he added.
“There’s been chat about his longevity but at the minute he’s bowling better than he ever has before. Time and again, he puts in fantastic performances.
“For him to be performing as he is, is something else.
“Even though the conditions suited (him), you’ve still got to put the ball in the right area and ask the right questions of the batters.
“Throughout the whole game he did just that, he set the tone well with Stuart (Broad), as a whole bowling group we were really, really good.”