Brooks Koepka Won a PGA Championship for the Third Time in His Career

Brooks Koepka won his fifth major championship and third PGA Championship. He also became the first LIV Golf player to win a major after defecting to the Saudi-backed tour. Koepka fended off a challenge from Viktor Hovland, who was just one stroke behind him when his shot disappeared into the sod.

Brooks Koepka Won a PGA Major

Brooks Koepka commenced the final round on Sunday with a one-stroke advantage over Hovland and Conners. His ascent to the top was aided by a remarkable display on Saturday’s third round, where he expertly birdied three out of the last seven holes. The weather conditions added to the challenge, with incessant rain and waterlogged terrain testing the mettle of all players. Sharing the second-place honors was Hovland, who finished on par with Scottie Scheffler. Scheffler’s impressive 5-under performance throughout the tournament was marred by a disappointing 3-over 73 on Saturday, leaving him pondering the missed opportunity of what could have been.

Following a relentless downpour at the Oak Hill course throughout Saturday, Sunday brought forth a welcome change in conditions. The tournament’s final day saw an ideal setting, with softened and receptive greens under sunny skies accompanied by a gentle breeze. In this picturesque environment, Brooks Koepka unleashed an extraordinary performance, showcasing his precision with short irons.

Viktor Hovland Was a Worthy Adversary

Starting off with a bang, he seamlessly birdied three consecutive holes—numbers 2, 3, and 4—thanks to his exceptional approach shots, which consistently landed within a mere 10 feet of the pin. This display of mastery allowed Koepka to surge ahead, amassing a three-stroke lead over his playing partner in the championship round, Viktor Hovland, within the first four holes. However, Hovland would not be deterred, managing to gain a stroke on Koepka at the par-3 No. 5. Koepka narrowly missed a 15-foot birdie putt, thus granting Hovland the opportunity to sink his own birdie attempt and narrow the gap.

At the par-4 No. 6, Brooks Koepka’s tee shot veered significantly right, landing in dense grass near the out-of-bounds area. Despite the challenging position, he executed a remarkable second shot to reach the green, albeit falling short with his long par save attempt. Ultimately Koepka displayed resilience, securing birdies on Nos. 10, 12, and 14, albeit with a bogey on No. 11.