"This is incredible, this is wild," Koepka said. "I look back on two years ago and everything that happened and I'm just at a loss for words.
"I don't know the list of guys who have won five time but to be with the list of names is incredible. This is incredible and I'm so happy to do it in front of these New York fans - I love you guys."
The enormity of the moment clearly wasn't lost on Koepka, who cut an emotional figure walking up 18 after all but wrapping up the victory with a laser-like iron shot. Once renowned as a Major clinician, he has been open about his injury struggles and loss of form that had him questioning whether he'd experience another moment like this.
There were also the Masters demons to lay to rest after blowing a four-shot lead to Jon Rahm. On this Sunday, he answered every question asked of him and then some.
Starting with a one-shot lead amid a smattering of boos, he was the clear favourite. But heavy is that crown. However, if there were any nerves he didn't reveal them.
Three birdies in a row from the second briefly put him back in that familiar position - four clear. Back came Hovland, who surely proved beyond doubt he is now a golfer ready to get over the line in the biggest events.
Bogeys at six and seven reduced Koepka's advantage to one as the pair traded blows in a brilliant battle.
In fact, if not for a couple of pivotal moments early in the back nine, the destination of the trophy could have been different. Koepka holed mammoth putts on 12 and 13 to maintain his slender lead before Hovland's challenge eventually collapsed on 16.
Mimicking almost identically what happened to Corey Conners on Saturday, the Norwegian drilled his second from the fairway bunker into the lip, resulting in a double-bogey that put Koepka four up with two to go.
Scheffler's back-nine charge kept it competitive right to the death, but Koepka made no mistake on 18, finding fairway, green and two-putting for a closing 67 and a two-shot victory that will surely have larger ramifications that will play out in the ensuing weeks.
While some of that might be a little unsavoury, what was anything but was the story of Michael Block. Koepka might have captured the trophy but Block captured the hearts, writing the most incredible final chapter to a wonderful story.
The 46-year-old club pro was part of a blockbuster pairing with Rory McIlroy and once again stole the show, making a miraculous slam dunk hole-in-one on the par-3 15th en route to finishing in a tie for 15th and earning an exemption into next year's tournament.
But after the week of his life, his attention turned to his fellow club pros. "I've got an exemption so that means one more club pro will make it into the tournament next year."
What a man, what a winner, what a championship!
PGA CHAMPIONSHIP LEADERBOARD 2023
- -9 Koepka
- -7 Scheffler, Hovland
- -3 Kitayama, Davis, DeChambeau
- -2 Straka, McIlroy
USEFUL LINKS
- WATCH: Club Pro Michael Block Makes Slam Dunk Hole-In-One At PGA Championship
- What Is The PGA Championship Playoff Format?
- All You Need To Know About 2023 PGA Championship
- How To Watch The PGA Championship
- Why Are Players And Caddies Using Rangefinders At The PGA Championship?
FINAL DAY IS HERE
PGA Championship Sunday is here, and the first news should be to tell you that the weather forecast looks much better than on Saturday.
BEST PAIRINGS FOR FINAL DAY
As I am sure you've seen already, there are some awesome pairings for the final day today. Here are some of my favorites...
- 8.20am: Justin Thomas, Phil Mickelson
- 8.50am: Padraig Harrington, Matt Wallace
- 10.40am: Dean Burmester, Jon Rahm
- 10.50am: Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth
- 12.10pm: Tyrrell Hatton, Chris Kirk
- 14.00pm: Rory McIlroy, Michael Block
- 14.30pm: Brooks Koepka, Viktor Hovland
That final group in particular, can Hovland step up his game against one of the biggest alpha's in the sport?
FINAL ROUND PIN LOCATIONS
In case you hadn't seen, here are the pins for the final round. 2 and 8 should be very fun indeed!
Hole Locations for the Final Round 📍 ⛳️#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/P4iZ7YScpsMay 21, 2023
COOL, COOL, COOL
Michael Block is the best story in golf this weekend, and this walk and talk was incredible.Bravo CBS 👏pic.twitter.com/6ApVaJ7SNdMay 20, 2023
Love everything about this. Shoutout to Block for doing it, CBS, everyone. The more this happens the better as far as I am concerned.
WHO WILL BE HOISTING WANAMAKER TODAY?
The Wanamaker is one of the coolest trophies in sport let alone golf and I have a sneaky suspicion Brooks Koepka will be hoisting it aloft for the 3rd time come end of play today. Regardless we put together a history of the famous trophy which is definitely worth a read.
QUIZ ANSWER
The bullet point answers are below, to get into specifics have a read of our piece on the perks.
- Prize Money
- Trophy
- Lifetime Exemption
- Major Exemptions
- Tour Memberships
- World Ranking Points
- FedEx Cup Points
- Other Tournament Exemptions
- Champions Dinner
SHOT OF THE TOURNAMENT?
Justin Suh is not afraid of the big stage. #PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/k3R5bmcwOKMay 20, 2023
Somehow I missed this shot by Justin Suh yesterday and my oh my, this might be the best shot from the tournament so far. Happy to be told otherwise.
LOL AT THIS...
How many majors will Brooks have on Sunday night? pic.twitter.com/MK8Zl5XaRLMay 21, 2023
LIFE CHANGING DAY AHEAD FOR BLOCK?
Don’t want to get too ahead of ourselves. ButtttttttIf Michael Block finishes in a two-way tie for 3rd or better he becomes a special temporary member of the pga tour.May 20, 2023
If Block can get it done today then wow, an epic, life-changing week.
HOW FAR BACK IS TOO FAR BACK?
To put the answer to that question simply, I think Rory at one-under is the furthest player from Koepka at six-under that still has a chance. We saw Justin Thomas come back from seven last year, and Oak Hill is one tough beast, so anything could be possible today, but I do think Koepka will get it done.
JT, MICKELSON START ROUNDS WELL
The American pair have both started their final rounds well. Thomas has parred his first three holes whereas Mickelson birdied the 2nd and parred the other two holes.
FUTURE PGA CAHMPIONSHIP VENUES
I know we are still in the midst of the Oak Hill tournament, but here are the next few venues for the PGA Championship.
PERFECT WEATHER OUT THERE RIGHT NOW
Oak Hill is bathed in sunshine at the moment and there is only a slight breeze, at least according to the giant flags near the practice range. It looks absolutely perfect and I wish I was actually playing golf.
ALL INFO ON OAK HILL
Shoutout to my colleague Mike Hall for writing a piece on 'how can I play Oak Hill'. Just Googled that very phrase and there is loads of good stuff in there on who designed it, previous Major Championships and such. However it doesn't look like I will ever get to play it...
6 CONTINUES TO BE A BEAST
I know you all know this, but 6 is insanely tough this week. Looks like both Phil Mickelson and Justin Thomas found the penalty area to the right and have a long way in from there. Could get ugly for them both.
RORY MCILROY SHOE REVIEW COMING SOON
I know this is not PGA Championship related but I have just taken delivery of some Nike Victory Tour 3 shoes (Rory's model) and I am so excited to test them out. First thoughts were the color finish is sick, and the shoe overall looks a touch more refined than the previous Victory Tour 2 model. Stay posted for comprehensive review soon.
THESE GUYS ARE GOOD
I referenced Homa's terrible tee shot earlier, well he has just holed a mid-range putt for par. After his drive I didn't think he would have a chance at par but hey, these guys are very good.
COURSE PLAYING TOUGH AGAIN
Just went through the leaderboard and there are only three guys under par right now by my count. I know its early in the morning in New York but there are plenty of guys out on the course currently so my point still stands!
NEAR HOLE IN ONE
Adrian Meronk has just come the closest I have seen this week to a hole-in-one. He hits an absolute beauty to stone-dead on the 5th hole. That should get him to +7 I believe. (If wrong my apologies, the PGA leaderboard is incredibly slow at updating).
HANDING OVER TO ANDY WRIGHT
As always my three hour shift has absolutely flown by and I am handing over to a very good golfer in his own right, Andy Wright. So stoked to see how this tournament ends.
Good afternoon
Thanks, Sam, top job as always. I echo those sentiments - can't wait to see how this plays out. The sun is shining but the course should still be quite soft after yesterday's rain, which should be a potent combination for some thrilling action. Time will tell.
Rahm underway
The World No. 1 has just got his final round going alongside Dean Burmester. Rahm cut a frustrated figure yesterday, shouting at cameramen and chucking clubs. He'll be keen to put all that right and finish on a high.
Adrian!!!
Meronk is on the move. He's showing what's possible out there today with four straight birdies from the fifth to get to +5.
Rahm makes early move
He's had little to cheer about this week but you can never write him off. Rahm birdies the first to get back to +5.
Rahm saves par
The Spaniard gouged his ball out the rough long of the third, leaving himself around 15ft for par. He slots it to stay +4 and does a subtle fist-pump for good measure.
Brooks out to join exclusive club
Koepka can join an illustrious group of players to have won five Majors before turning 34 should he lift the Wanamaker Trophy in about eight hours' time.
Awesome stat from @JustinRayGolf: Only six golfers since 1950 have won five majors before turning 34.TigerJackSeveWatson Player PalmerAll-timers only, and Brooks joins them today if he wins.May 21, 2023
Phil the Thrill
Classic Mickelson on the par-3 15th. He would save par and remain +10.
Classic @PhilMickelson 😎#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/m1qApt5qfSMay 21, 2023
Lightning start for Xander
After back-to-back birdies for Xander Schauffele to kickstart his final round, he's stuck it in to about 10ft on the long par-3 third to get back to +2.
Spieth in the drink
After an excellent start, Jordan Spieth has dumped his second into the water on the treacherous sixth. He'll do well to just drop one shot.
Defending champion signs off
Justin Thomas' PGA Championship defence comes to an end. It wasn't the week he wanted but he did well to make the cut at Oak Hill and signs off with a 72 to finish +12 for the tournament.
His playing partner, Phil Mickelson, gives the fans on the 18th something to cheer about with a closing birdie for a +10 total.
Back-to-back bogeys for Spieth
At the second, Cam Smith gets his first birdie of the day and he's +3 and within nine of the lead.
Best rounds of the day
Is anyone lighting it up? Let's browse the leaderboard. Adrian Meronk and Callum Tarren are so far compiling the rounds of the day at four-under through 15 holes.
Adam Scott and Chez Reavie are both -3 for their rounds through 11 and five holes respectively. Elsewhere, Cam Smith has just followed up a birdie on the second with a birdie at the third.
There's definitely a low one to be had out there.
Svensson and Straka make fast starts
Adam Svensson and Sepp Straka immediately get a shot closer to the lead, with the pair nailing lengthy birdie putts on the first to get to +2. We're fast approaching the final tee times on day four here.
Another birdie chance for Reavie
A dart into the seventh leaves Chez about 6ft for another birdie to get to four-under for the day and +1 for the tournament. Scoring conditions are perfect.
Touch of class
JT just made this kid’s year. Love to see it. @Daniel_Rapaport pic.twitter.com/dNbsqdc3C6May 21, 2023
How's Rahm doing?
After a quick start, Rahm's momentum has stalled with eight straight pars. He's still battling hard, though, at four-over for the tournament.
Three in a row for Smith
Can he do what he did at St Andrews last year and produce a comeback win for the ages? He'll probably need to shoot something around 60 but he's made the perfect start.
Handing over
It's over to Thomas Patrick Clarke, who makes a rare appearance on the live blog. Enjoy it while it lasts, folks. I'll be back in a few hours!
LET'S DO THIS
Thanks Andy for the last few hours... Andy fans.. don't worry he will be back later on!
MY KIND OF GUY
Braden Shattuck, winner of the 2023 PGA Professional Championship, missed the cut at this week’s PGA Championship, but he still considered his first major championship to be “phenomenal.”
Asked to name a few highlights during the week, he came up with one you wouldn’t hear most pros here say: "Player dining," he said.
“That’s something you don’t get on the mini-tours,” said Shattuck, 28, who birdied his final hole on Friday to shoot 73 after an opening 79. Shattuck is Director of Instruction at Rolling Green Golf Club just outside Philadelphia. “We usually eat at Chipotle.”
HOLE LENGTHS FOR THE FINAL ROUND
246 yards for a par 3... a little excessive!
MICHAEL BLOCK - WHAT'S AT STAKE
The story of the week is without doubt PGA Professional Michael Block - the 46 year old could qualify for other Majors, and even get a special PGA Tour membership. He tees off with Rory McIlroy in 20 minutes.
BLOCK LOOKS NERVOUS... OF COURSE
As Rory McIlroy walked onto the 1st tee, I think it is the first time I have seen Block look really nervous. He has been on the course for hours this morning already, being followed by the Netflix Full Swing documentary crew. I hope he has enough energy for the test ahead.
BLOCK FINDS SAND
What an ovation for the PGA Professional, he hits one on the same line as Rory, but can't carry the bunker. Still gets a roar as he walks off the tee - hopefully that calms him down.
IMPLICATIONS OF A HIGH FINISH FOR BLOCK
Implications of a high finish for Michael Block pic.twitter.com/NGt4cJuOaIMay 21, 2023
To be honest, I hope he doesn't know all of this... will be very hard for him to concentrate.
TROUBLE FOR BLOCK
His opening tee shot didn't make the bunker, but it ended up in a very tricky position above a top lip. Means Block has to lay-up. Important up and down to follow!
CAN HE GET TO 5 MAJOR WINS?
If Brooks Koepka does win today, he will win his 5th Major and join a group that includes Seve Ballesteros (Pictured), Peter Thomson, Byron Nelson, JH Taylor and James Braid. He will also have one more than Rory McIlroy.
HOVLAND MISSES A CHANCE
Viktor's approach finds the greenside bunker.. will have a tricky up and down to come. Here comes Brooks...
WHO WILL WIN?
Koepka or Hovland... well they are both struggling on 7... the field is coming back to them!
Bringing it home
Nice one, Tom. Right, this has become a lot more interesting in the last 30 minutes. It looked like Koepka was going to sprint off into the distance but he's now just one ahead of Hovland and three clear of the rest of the pack.
DeChambeau has just joined Scheffler at -4 and McIlroy has stuck it in close at the 10th to get to -2.
Hatton in the house
The Englishman taps in for par at 18 and a closing 67 to finish +1 overall. He'll be ruing that opening 77 that left him with too much to do to get back into contention.
At the 10th McIlroy converts his birdie putt to get withing five of Koepka. He'll need a few more and a bit more help from the final group but you never know...
Fore left!
Koepka is looking a little shaky here. Hovland is on the tee first at the 9th and stripes it down the middle, before Koepka drags it well left. He'll do well to save par from there.
Working the crowd
What a guy Michael Block is. He's +2 for the day and for the tournament with seven holes to play.
The crowd 🤝 Michael Block. We're all having a good time out here.#PGAChamp | #CorebridgexPGA pic.twitter.com/hTAWe4VAEkMay 21, 2023
Scheffler birdie
The World No. 2 bounces back from a bogey on the 9th with a birdie on the 10th. He's back to -4 and three behind Koepka.
Bogey for Rose - long way back
Ah Rosey. It was all going so well with two birdies in his first six holes but he's now given both of those shots back. He's -2 with eight holes to go and all but out of contention.
Straka matches round of the day
Straka closes with a disappointing bogey but what a final round by the Austrian. He made eight birdies in total to finish -2 and match Cam Smith's earlier 65 as the best round of the day.
Hard to imagine he won't be on the plane heading to Rome come September.
The back nine on Sunday is here
The leaders have made the turn as they were, with Koepka (-7) one clear of Hovland (-6). It's far too early to call this a two-horse race, though.
Scheffler is lurking at -4 and looks a different player from yesterday. He could very well have a say in the outcome. As could DeChambeau at -3 and even McIlroy at -2 isn't out of it.
Koepka moves two clear
Get your popcorn ready for this back nine 🍿#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/eiUm7EppuLMay 21, 2023
McIlroy to -3
He's been far from his best but McIlroy is still hanging around. He sneaks in a birdie putt at the 13th to get to -3 and has the driveable par-4 14th up next.
Koepka lips out for par
Koepka hits a great bunker shot to give himself a look for par from 12ft but he can't convert. Hovland missed his birdie putt so the lead is cut to one.
You serious with this, Brooks? #PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/NYgHPMzWIDMay 21, 2023
Why is McIlroy still trying to hit a cut?
It's sad to see one of the most prodigious drawers of the ball, especially with a driver, reduced to this.
Conners and DeChambeau's challenge ends
Conners looked infallible until that bunker mishap late yesterday. He's now fallen back to -2 with a bogey at the 12th.
Scheffler is right in this
Scheffler hits a beauty of a wedge shot into the par-5 13th and makes the birdie putt to get to -5. He's right in this.
Turning point?
It's the classic match play situation in the final group. Koepka slots his left-to-right curler for birdie on the 12th to get to -8, making Hovland's all the more difficult.
The Norwegian's putt slides by the left edge and the gap is two once again.
SLAM DUNK HOLE-IN-ONE FOR BLOCK!!
My days! Michael Block's magical week just somehow got even better. He steps up on 15 and slam dunks it for an incredible hole-in-one. Pick it out, son.
Unbelievable scenes! Watch below...
MICHAEL. BLOCK. ACE. #PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/YitD2QLDB7May 21, 2023
Hovland and Koepka both convert
Hovland is up first and guides it home for birdie to get to -7. To Koepka's immense credit, he follows him in for par and to maintain a one-shot lead at the top.
Advantage Koepka on 14
Driver ➡️ Putter for Brooks ⛳️#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/FLrQgLyqWQMay 21, 2023
Safely aboard the 15th for the final group
There's no future right of 15 so it's no surprise to see the final group well left of the flag. Koepka will be up first from a few feet further away and will give Hovland a read, which could be pivotal.
Pars for final group
Koepka and Hovland both tickle their lengthy birdie putts down to tap-in range, so it's as you were heading to 16.
#Wholesome
Check out the reaction to Michael Block's hole-in-one at his home club, Arroyo Trabucho. Simply lovely!
Michael Block's home club, Arroyo Trabucho, goes wild!! #PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/rWbv4VU3uNMay 21, 2023
Hovland in bunker on 16
Hovland still has the honour but hands the advantage to his playing partner by finding the fairway bunker.
Huge final hole for Block
The top 15 and ties earn invites into next year's PGA Championship, which is exactly the position Block finds himself in heading to the 18th tee. A par should be enough to cap off what has been the week of his life.
Drama on 16
Can you believe it? Hovland has done what Conners did yesterday and plugged his ball into the lip of the fairway bunker on 16. It could be the Norwegian's race run and the anguish is written all over his face.
He's getting a ruling just now, so we could be waiting a while.
On 18, Block has launched his second well left into the gallery. It'll be a hell of an up-and-down from there.
Koepka puts the hammer down
Hovland eventually takes his drop and can only pitch the ball back into play. Sensing his opportunity to all but wrap up the title, Koepka sends his second from the rough into about 4ft.
Take a bow, Michael Block
Simply incredible. From a horror position, Block lobs a pitch up from amidst the gallery, landing it on a dime for it to trickle down to around 8ft. With everyone wishing the putt in, he obliges and caps off a remarkable week that should see him into next year's tournament.
He's not done yet. 🔥 Michael Block with the save on 18. #PGAChamp | @scpga pic.twitter.com/MOMnFV0WUDMay 21, 2023
Hovland doubles 16
And just like that, Koepka leads by four. Hovland can't convert from 15ft for bogey and drops to -6 after working so hard all round to stay in the hunt.
Koepka, the predator he is, makes Hovland pay and slots his four-footer for birdie to get to -10 and four clear.
Koepka in trouble on 17
It's quite nice to see one of the best players in the world hit a shot like this. Koepka slices the back legs off his tee shot on 17 and is forced to pitch out sideways back onto the fairway. Hovland's barely finds the rough but he'll have a clear look at the green.
Scheffler finishes in style
A birdie at the last for Scheffler gets him to -7 and caps off a brilliant closing 65. He'll rue that third-round 73 that gave him just a little too much to do today.
Koepka bogeys
The leader can't make par but limits the damage to a bogey, which cuts his lead to two after Scheffler's birdie. Hovland makes a great up-and-down for par to stay -6.
Amazing moment
You couldn't have written this script for Michael Block. This was a lovely moment after the round between him and McIlroy.
The duo we never knew we needed 😍📸 pic.twitter.com/Up3j62pMvQMay 21, 2023
You couldn't have written this script for Michael Block. This was a lovely moment after the round bethim and McIlroy.
Goodnight, folks
Thanks, as ever, for following along with what was a great championship. Brooks Koepka is a worthy winner and rightly propels himself back among the elite of men's golf.