Brooks Koepka shows his class and other takeaways from the PGA Championship

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  • Brooks Koepka held off a thrilling challenge from Tiger Woods to win the 100th PGA Championship in St Louis on Sunday.

    Koepka carded a closing 66 in a stunning final round to finish 16 under par and two shots ahead of Woods, joining the runner-up, Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan and Jack Nicklaus as the only players to win the US Open and US PGA in the same season.

    After becoming the first player in 29 years to win back-to-back US Open titles in June, Koepka has now won three of his last six major starts, a wrist injury having forced him to sit out the Masters in April.

    Here, we take a look at the five takeaways from the final major of the year.

    Koepka shows his class

    A fascinating year for the Florida man.

    With a quality leaderboard breathing down his neck and the pressure of an advancing Woods, the 28-year-old held firm to shoot a scintillating 66 and clinch his third major and second of 2018.

    The World No2 is shaping into a force, combining a devastating game off the tee with an razor-like short game. With another major to add to his mantelpiece, he now surely deserves serious recognition among the golf public after being underrated in the American game for so long.

    Players like Jordan Spieth and Woods may be household names in the US, but Koepka certainly has a bright future in the game ahead of him. And with it being a Ryder Cup year, he has the chance to be one of Jim Furyk’s key lieutenants at Le Golf National next month as the Americans bid to defend their title on European soil.

    Woods rises back to his best

    An inspired showing from the American.

    Woods began the final round four shots behind Koepka and was within a shot three times, but Koepka birdied the 15th and 16th before a wayward drive on the 17th cost Woods the chance of a birdie himself.

    Remarkably, his 196 (66-66-64) in the last three rounds is his lowest score across three consecutive rounds in his major championship career.

    It is still a stunning second-place finish for the 42-year-old who has recorded four top-five and four top-15 finishes in 2018, including a tie for sixth at the Open Championship last month

    Winning a 15th major would be a fairytale way to seal one of the greatest comebacks in sporting history and recent form suggests he could well be in contention again in 2019.

    Spieth’s disappointing year continues

    The three-time major winner failed in his second quest to secure a career grand slam, finishing in a tie for 12th.

    Although he may be disappointed to end the year without a major, the Texan showed signs of his remarkable talents with a final round 66 after three mixed rounds.

    It’s been a mediocre year for the 24-year-old, with a disappointing ninth place at The Open where he held the lead after three rounds.

    In addition, the right-hander has recorded two top-5, three top-10 and five top-25 finishes, including a win at the Tournament of Champions in January.

    The results may be off his overall expectations, but if Spieth can replicate his final round form at Bellerive, then he could be a force for the FedEX playoffs and Ryder Cup.

    Inconsistent DJ

    It’s incredible how the American has been a favourite for every major this year but just can’t get the job done.

    Fifth in gaining strokes off the tee this weekend, his normally classy iron and putting play was off colour and he was restricted to a T27 finish.

    The World No1 was seven-under-par heading into the third round, but six bogeys and a double saw him move out of contention.

    It perfectly summarises DJ’s season, with plenty of positives combined with a lot of negatives.

    Another year without a major win for the best player in the world.

    Poor TV coverage

    Eleven Sports‘ coverage of the final major of the year proved to be a disaster, with an overload of commercials, poor commentary, bad shot selection of players and general production an embarrassment.

    Their inconsistencies further proved how Sky Sports‘ production values remain unmatched, with nice shots always acknowledged if they are missed on camera at the time.

    The producers even missed Koepka’s winning putt, with the link cutting out at midnight (3:00 UAE time).

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