Swindle Golf

2023 PGA Championship Recap

The second major of the year took place at Oak Hill in Rochester, New York, for the 2023 edition of the PGA Championship. The tournament was a thrilling showcase of some of the world’s best golfers from both the PGA Tour and the LIV Golf Tour, attracting a viewership of 4.14 million people for the final round coverage.

The course conditions at Oak Hill were challenging, with fast greens and thick rough, putting the players’ skills and precision to the test. Missing the fairway meant a tough time ahead, with bogeys becoming a common occurrence.

The leaderboard on the first day was tightly contested, with several players in the running for the top spot. As the tournament progressed, a few standout performances emerged. Eric Cole took an early lead with an impressive round of 65, closely followed by Bryson DeChambeau.

However, there were also struggles, as a number of notable players failed to make the cut, including Matt Fitzpatrick, Sungjae Im, Jason Day, Rickie Fowler, and Cameron Young. It became evident that the front nine was a survival mode, while the back nine offered opportunities for birdies.

After the cut was made, Brooks Koepka mounted a strong comeback, showcasing a blend of power and finesse. His exceptional long drives and accurate approach shots propelled him to the top of the leaderboard, leaving fans in awe of his skill and determination. Notably, Koepka had previously declared on Netflix’s “Full Swing” that he would win another major in 2023, and he lived up to his promise.

On the final day, the championship became a two-horse race between Koepka and Viktor Hovland. Unfortunately for Hovland, a mishap in a fairway bunker cost him his chances of winning. Ultimately, Brooks Koepka emerged as the victor, securing his fifth major championship title and further cementing his status as one of the greatest golfers of his generation. His consistent performance and ability to navigate the demanding Oakmont Country Club were truly impressive.

The Winner - Brooks Koepka

Major Brooks! What a statement he made. Not only did he break his rumored “marriage curse,” but he also achieved a remarkable feat of winning 5 Major Championships, including 3 PGA Championships. Surpassing Rory McIlroy on the all-time leaderboard, who has 4 Majors, solidifies his position among the greatest players of all time, not just in his era.

Despite facing controversy and a major injury in the past couple of years, Brooks was able to silence his critics and prove that he belongs in the elite conversation. He attributes his victory this week to his performance at The Masters, where he had a commanding lead over Jon Rahm but faltered on Sunday. Brooks himself openly admitted to his mistakes, referring to it as a choke job, but he seems to have learned from that failure.

With his recent triumph and a newfound sense of confidence, it feels like the sky is the limit for Brooks. We will see the 6th soon….

Best Moment/Story

Michael Block

The bar tab for Michael Block, a club professional who gained fame and shot an ace during the final round of a major golf championship, was fortunately not his responsibility.

Block, who became a beloved figure among fans at the PGA Championship held at Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, New York, shared that he enjoyed a few celebratory drinks after his memorable round, but he didn’t have to pay for them. He expressed gratitude for the complimentary beverages, not necessarily because of the cost, but because he believed the tournament winner, Brooks Koepka, might have intended to charge them to Block’s tab.

During an appearance on “CNN This Morning,” Block revealed, “Well, as far as I know, it was all hosted. I definitely had a couple, and I was lucky that Brooksy went away because I knew Brooksy was going to put it all on my tab for sure. It was a good moment. I was lucky enough to have Brooks Koepka win, and he’s such a great guy, and everyone was, the whole week.”

Block concluded the PGA Championship with a score of 1-over par, securing a tie for 15th place and captivating golf enthusiasts nationwide. The 46-year-old serves as a golf instructor at Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club in Mission Viejo, California.

Pick Results for the PGA Championship

Top 20 Finish:

Talor Gooch +230

Dustin Johnson +120

Both LIV Tour golfers Talor Gooch &  DJ couldn’t handle the heat this past weekend. Gooch didn’t make the cut and DJ had a slow fall down the leaderboard in the weekend.

DJ Top 20 PGA Championship

Top 10 Finish:

Sungjae Im +300

Brooks Koepka +220

Sungjae was on the struggle bus this weekend. Shot an 80 in Round 1.

Brooks  Do I need to say more?

To Win / Top 5:

Dom:

Jon Rahm +750 / +175

JO:

Max Homa +4000 / +800

Ughhh Jon Rahm…… I’ll cut the guy some slack after his historical start to the year he is having. It was a bit of a reach going back-to-back Major Champ. Guess he isn’t Tiger Woods. 

Max Homa is close. Very close. Proven winner on the Tour but hasn’t had the breakthrough major yet…..Mark this down, the next major in California. Max Homa will win. Book it. BTW the 2023 U.S. Open is in California.

 

Swindle of the Week:

Winner in final pairing

No +175

Brooks sure was in the final pairing. An L here with no real chance of anyone challenging him on Sunday [That wasn’t in the final pairing]

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