Stories from the PGA Championship NEWS

By Neville Idour

Booing Koepka And Dechambeau Roundly Criticised

A most unsavoury welcome greeted Brooks Koepka and fellow LIV player Bryson DeChambeau as they were introduced on the first tee for the third round of the PGA Championship in New York last month.

It was almost hard to believe. DeChambeau was first and his reception was very frosty to say the least. Koepka was also booed loudly as he prepared to play.

One Sky Sports commentator said it was completely uncalled for and a “most unsavoury two minutes. Two fine players and thoroughly decent men.”

Rich Beem, the 2002 PGA Championship winner, also on Sky Sports agreed saying they were booing because they were no longer on the PGA Tour. Yet they were both major champions who had done it their way. Social media was almost unanimously critical using words like classless and uncalled for. The success of both players was the best way to respond to the hoons.

LIV VALIDATED? — GIVE US A BREAK

The LIV players were not going to play the media’s games when asked about validation of LIV. That has been confirmed quite definitively and therefore rendered the media’s questioning irrelevant and the players showed that with their responses.

Koepka said: “It is huge for LIV but I am just happy to take this trophy home for the third time. It just validates it for myself.”

Cameron Smith simply said: “I gave up on that about six months ago. We haven’t forgotten how to play golf.” His ninth finish means he now has a top 10 finish in all four majors.

What the PGA results do validate is the majors’ decisions to allow LIV players to play in golf’s big four events. Greg Norman posted: “They belong on the competitive golf scene and in the Majors and golf knows that.”

If such players make the US team don’t be surprised if the DP World Tour boss Keith Pelley backtracks on his hardline and copies what the US does and LIV players are picked.

LIV PLAYERS FOR THE RYDER CUP?

It looks more than likely after some of the performances. Europe’s side will likely have no LIV players but the US side may do especially after an exchange with captain Zach Johnson. Asked whether a LIV player can take one of the automatic positions Johnson responded: “Yeh. He’s (Koepka) on the team. He’s got direct ownership in that, absolutely.’’

If that is the case surely it opens up the possibility for the likes of Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau and Patrick Reed.

Koepka Opens Up On Recovery

Brooks Koepka has always exuded something of a tough guy image and enjoyed playing with the news media.

The exterior masked his real feelings inside. His injured right knee was the cause for his fears and insecurity. Multiple surgeries and the ongoing injury left him understandably constantly worried about his ability to play golf again.

At one stage he thought he could not compete with his fellow players regularly any more and his golf swing reflected that. He had morphed to more of a “stack and tilt’’ swing. That was because on the backswing it was necessary to shift most of the weight onto the trail leg. But when the knee was in a mess he was afraid to load his right side. This created other problems on the left side with compensating by reverse pivoting.

Now that he is back to physical health he has worked hard to overcome those problems. He now has the confidence to trust loading the right leg again. He said the breakthrough came in the off season. It surely has and he should be one to watch at the Opens.

MICHAEL BLOCK — A CHIP OFF

Surely Michael Block was the feel good story of the PGA Championship. The 46-year-old had the time of his life and probably the tournament of his life. He won $US288,333 for his 15th placing, the best by a club pro since 1986 and an exemption into next year’s PGA Championship.

He bagged the first ace by a club pro since 1996 while playing with Rory McIlroy in the final round. He also received invitations to play in the PGA Tour’s Charles Schwab Challenge plus the Canadian Open from June 8-11 in Toronto.

He is the head pro at Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club in California and this huge favourite with fans and media may take a while before returning to give golf lessons for $125 a pop. Yes, it is one of those stories that confirms the dreams of the everyday golfer can come true.

JOEL DAHMEN’S $100 GIFT

Nobody watching golf wants to be hit by an errant golf ball — unless you are well compensated and not injured. A spectator was watching a practice round at Oak Hill when he was struck on the calf by Joel Dahmen’s wayward tee shot.

Dahmen appeared shortly after and asked how much a beer cost. He then produced a crisp $100 bill, much better than the usual used glove or ball.

Dahmen said: “that’s your beers for today.” Dahmen, 35, is a survivor from testicular cancer and a PGA Tour winner.

While the fan had enough for five beers and some change it was meeting Dahmen that made his day. The fan said it was a pleasure to meet him and kept them talking for the rest of the day.

He shared a picture of his bruised leg on Twitter.

AN UNLIKELY ALLIANCE

— BRILLIANT

Golf.com journalist Claire Rogers has posted a picture on Twitter that defies belief. Unsurprisingly it has garnered much attention as the image shows Jay Monahan, Rory McIlroy, Phil Mickelson and Collin Morikawa walking together at the PGA Championship dinner. Looking closely it appears to be photoshopped with Collin Morikawa’s left hand holding a glass in front of Monahan’s arm even though he is clearly at least a metre behind Monahan.

Some of the comments on Twitter are hilarious. “Every person photoshopped.” “Collin looks like he’s on his 10th Vodka soda.” “Hang it in the Louvre.” “Worth a zillion words.” “Monahan within three feet of Mickelson, Not Likely.”

It is impossible to imagine Monahan would want to be anywhere near Mickelson. Unlike him however most players of so called rival tours are still friends and at The Masters and PGA dinners there were no hostilities.

SCHEFFLER WORLD NO 1 AGAIN — DON’T REALLY CARE

Scottie Scheffler has leapfrogged Jon Rahm back into the number one world ranking but while laughing said, when questioned: “It is just an algorithm. While it is nice I don’t really care.” He made it clear he doesn’t play for a world ranking which in this case was no consolation.

“I just want to compete and I did well to hang in there and have a chance. Saturday’s 73 probably cost me. It is really hard to play four rounds under par at a major. Brooks played better this week so I tip my cap to him.“

Garcia Back In The Major Saddle For The Us Open

It is hard to believe that the 2023 PGA Championship was the first major championship Sergio Garcia had missed in 24 years. He wasn’t keen to miss two in a row. He is now ranked a somewhat dubious 206th an age from automatic qualification.

He was in good touch in a strong field finishing at nine under par in a tie for fourth with a three foot birdie on the final hole avoiding a playoff to gain one of the eight places on offer. Former Ryder Cup teammate Graeme Mc Dowell at seven under par missed out on the playoff by one shot after dropping three shots over the last 11 holes.

Dechambeau Opens Up On His Weight Loss

Bryson DeChambeau looked a different person playing consistent golf always amongst the leaders at the PGA Championship. This was no miracle but the result of his complete change of approach regarding weight and diet after admitting his muscle building regime and complementary diet was a mistake.

After round one and sharing the lead he spoke about the changes.

“I began eating properly instead of stuff that inflames my body.”

He is allergic to most of the things he likes. Corn, wheat, gluten, dairy. He said he began taking them out of his diet last August and over time has lost the inflammation, a lot of fat and “slimmed down like crazy.” He lost 18 pounds in 24 days and said it was all water weight, not fat.

He also spoke of recovery from a hand injury which affected his swing which needed work as his hand healed.

“It is nice to come back and finally figure out what is going on.”

Along with that was the battle to return to form.

“I love golf and helping inspire kids to play golf and grow the game.” He admitted there were times during his recovery when he wondered if it was all worth it.

I think most people would agree the tours would be the poorer without the watchable, innovative DeChambeau.

RYAN FOX’S PREPARATION NOT IDEAL

Ryan Fox had every reason to be proud of his 23rd finish at the PGA Championship. After returning home for the birth of his second daughter Margot, he found it wasn’t all plain sailing especially being caught up in the drama of the floods in Auckland.

On top of that he caught pneumonia. “It wasn’t quite the ideal preparation for a major, but I was kind of hoping the fact I needed a break after a busy start to the year and then being mentally fresh would have been important this week,” Fox said.

He said pneumonia was almost a benefit in that he just got home and then had to relax. So the result after round one was “Coming in fresh this week has been pretty good so far.” So it would continue and he collected $US165,000 for his efforts and a world ranking of 41.

Oak Hill Too Tough For Average 18 Handicapper

There was much discussion amongst players in the buildup to the PGA at Oak Hill about the daunting course setup. The redesign featured long rough, penal bunkers and fast greens. Many felt it compared to the most difficult US Open courses.

Several offered an opinion on how an 18 handicapper would fare. Not very successfully was the consensus. Billy Horschel thought a score over 150 would not surprise. “The rough is too thick. Maybe between 130 and 150. Horschel missed the cut on six over par.

Jordan Spieth thought breaking 100 for someone on single figures would be impressive. Spieth finished 29th on five over par. Belgian Thomas Detry thought an 18 handicapper wouldn’t break 120 and may not even finish some holes. Detry finished 40th on six over.