Major rivalry off table

Golf: McIlroy agrees he has not been on par with Koepka in big events

Rory McIlroy has conceded that Brooks Koepka “wasn’t wrong” when he dismissed the idea of a big rivalry between the pair.

Speaking ahead of his title defence at last week’s CJ Cup in South Korea, world number one Koepka was asked about his rivalry with McIlroy and said: “I’ve been out here for what, five years?

“Rory hasn’t won a major since I’ve been on the PGA

Tour. So I don’t view it as a rivalry.”

The last of McIlroy’s four major titles came in the 2014 US PGA Championship, since when Koepka has won the US Open in 2017 and 2018 and the US PGA in 2018 and 2019.

Koepka was also second in the Masters and US Open this year and fourth in the Open Championship at Royal Portrush, where an emotional McIlroy missed the cut on home soil.

“What Brooks said wasn’t wrong,” McIlroy said during the Japan Skins event.

“I mean, he’s been the best player in the world the last couple of years – four majors. I don’t think he had to remind me that I haven’t won one in a while.

“I love Brooks, he’s a great guy. Obviously supercompetitive, like we all are. I can see where he’s coming from.

“I think if you take what Brooks said out of context then it can become this big thing that it’s become. But Brooks and I are good, we’re good friends.”

Meanwhile, Jason Day saw off rivals including Tiger Woods and McIlroy to win the inaugural Japan Skins Challenge in Chiba.

Day picked up four skins on the decisive 17 th hole to finish with a total of eight, ahead of Woods on five, McIlroy’s four, and one for local favourite Hideki Matsuyama.

His victory meant

Day picked up $180,000 (£140,000) on the final two holes to claim a total of $210,000 (£160,000) in prize money.

Day said: “I think it’s the first time I’ve ever finished under lights so that was exciting.”

McIlroy described the event as good preparation for Japan’s first PGA Tour event, the Zozo Championship, which starts on Thursday, also in Chiba.

McIlroy said: “It was good to get a driver in the hands and have a hit, and have a bit of fun.

“It was still quite competitive out there,” he said.

“It was great to be a part of something like this in Japan, and a great way to kick off the week.”

GOOD FRIENDS: Rory McIlroy, left, says he understands Brooks Koepka does not consider him as a main rival as the Northern Irishman has not won a major since 2014