FARMINGDALE, N.Y. – Brooks Koepka has long said he’s inspired by a lack of respect. That’s why he wasn’t bothered when the rowdy New York fans turned on the man who’d been on a virtual victory parade for the past two days.
Koepka started both Saturday and Sunday with a seven-shot lead, but he was just one ahead after he bogeyed Bethpage Black’s shortest hole. The New York fans, who’d been enamored with Brooks and his muscle-bound bravado, now started chanting for the man who’d been his big brother on TOUR.
Koepka was steeled by their lack of loyalty.
“When they started chanting, “DJ,” it actually kind of helped,” he said. “I think that was the best thing that could have happened.”
He responded by piping his drive on the 15th hole, where less than half the field had found the fairway. Making his par, his first since the ninth hole, righted his course.
He played the final four holes in 1 over, a finish that was emblematic of his entire round. It wasn’t pretty but it was enough to get the job done. And that’s all that matters.
History will record his two-shot victory at Bethpage Black and fourth victory in his past eight majors, something that hasn’t been accomplished since the prime of Tiger Woods. Koepka finished at 8-under 272, two shots better than Johnson. He has now won the past two PGA Championships and U.S. Opens.
“Four out of eight,” he said. “I like the way that sounds.”