PGA Championship
LIV professional Koepka triumphs at the major – golf instructor with ace
Brooks Koepka with the Wanamaker trophy after his win. photo
© Seth Little/AP
A renegade golfer takes the title at the PGA Championship: Brooks Koepka becomes the first LIV pro to win a major. And an unknown golf teacher plays his way into the hearts of the fans.
Brooks Koepka has become the first golfer on the new and controversial LIV tour to win one of the four major tournaments.
The 33-year-old US professional prevailed at the 105th PGA Championship in Rochester, New York, with a total of 271 shots against Norwegian Viktor Hovland and American Scottie Scheffler (both 273). With second place, the 26-year-old Scheffler took over the top of the world rankings again.
Wanamaker Trophy for Koepka
For Koepka it is already the fifth triumph at a major. In 2017 and 2018 he won the US Open, in 2018 and 2019 he won the title at the PGA Championship. “Looking back at where we were two years ago, I’m so happy right now,” said Koepka. “It’s just the coolest thing.” At the time, numerous injuries made him doubt whether he could still compete with the best golfers in the world. Now, Koepka has been presented with the massive Wanamaker trophy and a $3.15 million (€2.91 million) prize money check for his win at Oak Hill Country Club.
Last year, Koepka joined other US stars like Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson and Bryson DeChambeau from the PGA Tour to the competing LIV series. The LIV tour is criticized for the millions invested in Saudi Arabia. “Congratulations @BKoepka your comeback was impressive. I’m so proud of you,” tweeted LIV boss Greg Norman.
The secret star of the 17.5 million US dollar tournament on Lake Ontario was a golf instructor from the Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club in California. Michael Block had already played his way into the hearts of the fans on the first three days. In the final round, the 46-year-old became the crowd favorite after his ace on the 15th hole. On the 138 meter long par 3, Block sank his ball from the tee – without the ball even touching the green – directly into the hole. “No, no. Never. Rory, did it go in?” the stunned Block asked his prominent playing partner, Northern Ireland golf star Rory McIlroy. In the end, the golf instructor took a strong shared 15th place to the cheers of the fans.
Stephan Jäger, who was born in Munich and lives in the USA, dropped back from tenth to joint 50th place on the final day after a weak round of 76 with a total of 287 strokes. Mannheim’s Yannik Paul (293) finished the second major of his career in shared 69th place.