Brooks Koepka held off dramatic challenges from Tiger Woods and Adam Scott in a thrilling back-nine battle Sunday to win the 100th PGA Championship.
The 28-year-old two-time US Open champion sealed his third major title by firing a four-under-par 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 $1.98 million (1.73 million euros).
"I heard all the roars when Tiger made his run," Koepka said. "It was fun. It made it enjoyable.
"It's my focus. For some reason the majors get my attention. When you're firing at flags you have to be calm and focus on every shot." 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 six-foot 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. "I'm definitely playing better and in the right direction and that's a positive."
"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." - 'Mind-blowing' -
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