T-OFF July - Sept 2019 | Page 44

PGA Dustin Johnson Since then, Koepka’s game has been on an upward trajectory. His real breakthrough came in 2017 when he won the US open. But 2018 will perhaps go down as his greatest time. He successfully defended the US Open title and won the PGA Championship. Early this year Koepka threatened to rewrite the history books when he almost won the US Open for a third consecutive time a feat that has only been achieved by Willie Anderson in 1903, 1904 and 1905. He nevertheless finished second. Having already notched two victories in 2019, Koepka is in no mood to let go the world number one ranking. His trophy cabinet is already looking Rory McIlroy 44 decent; PGA Championship, The CJ Cup@ Nine Bridges, and Augusta Masters and US Open runners up medals. One of Koepka’s strengths is power and accuracy. He is currently ranked among the top 10 longest hitters on PGA Tour generating clubhead speeds of more than 120mph and averaging more than 300 yards off the tee. It is this power that has seen him win four majors in 23 months, a feat that no other golfer- including the legends- has ever achieved. But for Koepka to enjoy a prolonged stay as the world number one, he has to summon the art of consistency. Going by history, Koepka seems to be “a majors” player. Prior to winning the US Open in 2017, Koepka had finished inside the top 25 in the seven majors. He has the decent record of 10 top-10s in majors! Granted that there are only four majors in a season- The Masters, the U.S. Open, The Open Championship and the PGA Championship-