Koepka gives chasing pack hope after two late slips

Brooks Koepka will take a two-shot lead into the final day of the PGA Championship, but the American may regret that he doesn’t have a bigger advantage.
The two-time US Open champion shot a four under round of 66 at Bellerive to create some breathing space at the top of the leaderboard at 12 under, yet he had been five shots ahead at one point.
Koepka birdied both of the opening two holes and grabbed another three on the front nine. However, he gave the chasing pack hope with bogeys on 14 and 15 – his first dropped shots since the first round.
For the first time in his career, Brooks Koepka will sleep on sole possession of a 54-hole lead in a major. He leads by 2 shots over Adam Scott.
13 players, including seven major champions, are within 5 shots of Koepka. pic.twitter.com/wi1tTmTgc1
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) August 12, 2018
That saw second placed Adam Scott close the gap with birdies on 16 and 17, as the former Masters champion shot a 65 to move to 10 under overall.
“I played pretty well and got off to a hot start,” said Koepka.
“On the back nine I just made a couple of bad swings. It was nice to right the ship on the 17th [with a birdie].
“I just have to stay in the moment, don’t think about anything else, just come out and play.”
Adam Scott carded 6 birdies and just one bogey on the day.
Currently sits 2nd — 1 shot behind Koepka. pic.twitter.com/9C1QB5y6hY
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) August 11, 2018
The trio of Rickie Fowler, Gary Woodland and Jon Rahm are one behind Scott at nine under, with all three chasing their maiden major win. Woodland – who had led after each of the first two rounds – twice found greenside bunkers in a treble bogey on the 10th.
Tiger Woods is firmly in contention too after a 66 saw him move to eight under – four adrift of Koepka. There was a sense of frustration for the 14-time major winner though after following up five birdies and a bogey on the front nine, with 10 successive pars.
Woods is one of six players at eight under, along with Justin Thomas, Jason Day, Shane Lowry, Stewart Cink and Charles Schwartzel.
Latest
-
News
Rory McIlroy leads the way in Abu Dhabi as he eyes overdue victory
McIlroy will have to keep his Ryder Cup team-mates at bay if he is to claim the trophy.
-
News
Tyrrell Hatton dominant as Rory McIlroy falters in Abu Dhabi
Hatton led by five shots at the end of a second weather-affected day.
-
News
Phil Mickelson on Tiger’s latest surgery: ‘I feel bad because golf should be a game of a lifetime’
Mickelson admitted he was saddened by the news of Woods’ latest back surgery.
-
News
Rory McIlroy makes brilliant start to fog-affected Abu Dhabi Championship
McIlroy has a remarkable record in Abu Dhabi with four second-place finishes.
-
News
Rory McIlroy shines in Abu Dhabi to take first-round lead following flawless 64
McIlroy has a remarkable record in Abu Dhabi with four second-place finishes, three thirds and a fifth in his last nine starts, but has never won.
-
News
Justin Thomas on end of Ralph Lauren deal: ‘They moved on so that’s what I’m doing as well’
Justin Thomas said he was upset by...
-
News
My last win feels a long time ago – Rory McIlroy aiming to start year on a high
McIlroy has not tasted victory since November 2019.
-
News
Rory McIlroy insists Justin Thomas will ‘try to be better’ after homophobic slur
World number three Thomas was heard using a derogatory word towards himself after missing a par putt in Hawaii.
-
News
Rory McIlroy sad to miss Conor McGregor fight
Rory McIlroy has been to UFC star Conor Mcgregor’s last three fights but will miss Saturday’s clash due to European Tour commitments.
-
News
Rory McIlroy backs Tiger Woods to make quick recovery from latest back surgery
McIlroy expects the American to be fit for the Masters in April.