FARMINGDALE, N.Y - The rise of Florida State Men’s Golf Alum Brooks Koepka continues at a breakneck pace.
Koepka won his second consecutive PGA Championship after shooting 8-under (63-65-70-74) to hang on Sunday and conquer one of the toughest courses in the world on a windy day at the Bethpage Black Golf Course.
The victory solidifies even more history made for the Seminole golfer. Koepka is the first golfer ever to become a defending champion for two majors at the same time. Koepka has won back-to-back PGA Championships in 2018 and 2019, and won consecutive U.S. Open titles in 2017 and 2018.
He is also tied for the fourth-most major victories before turning 30 years old, which he won’t do until next May. Koepka’s four majors have come in the last 23 months.
“Brooks’ performance was Mike Tyson like,” FSU head coach Trey Jones said. “No nonsense, bring the fight, play to knock out early and take advantages when you can.”
Koepka entered the day with a seven-shot lead, the largest 54-hole lead entering the final round of the PGA Championship, and the fourth-largest ever at a major. Koepka’s win is also his third major title in his last five majors played, making him just the fifth golfer since 1934 to win that many majors during a five-major span.
His victory would not come easy, as former World No. 1 golfer Dustin Johnson came chasing for much of the day with a final-round 69. However, Johnson’s back-to-back bogeys on holes 16 and 17 coupled with Koepka’s three pars over his last four holes allowed Koepka to grab his fourth major.
“This is incredible,” Koepka said in the CBS post-round interview on back-to-back years with the Wanamaker Trophy. “I don’t know if I’ve dreamed of this. This is so cool. I’m still in shock right now. This is awesome.
“I’m just glad we didn’t have to play any more holes” Koepka added. “That was a stressful round of golf. The wind was up, D.J. played awesome and he put the pressure on. I’m glad to have this thing (Wanamaker Trophy) back in my hands.”
Koepka’s last two PGA Championships have come in Long Island, N.Y., with his previous title in 2018 being at Shinnecock Hills when he shot 16-under and held off Tiger Woods who finished second at 14-under.
Florida State Men’s Golf has now been part of eight Major titles, with Koepka adding to his lead among Seminole Major Winners with four.
Golf’s next major includes the U.S. Open, which Koepka holds consecutive titles in. The U.S. Open will be held June 13-16 at Pebble Beach.
