Koepka adds another double major title to trophy case
Each week Golfweek takes a look at four players on the major tours in the Golfweek/Sagarin rankings.
PGA TOUR Two up
14. Brooks Koepka: The PGA Championship defending champion essentially called his shot early in the week and delivered a two-shot victory Sunday, becoming the first man in golf history to post back-to-back wins at two different majors. He also said he thinks he can get to double-digit major victories. Is that a realistic number? He now has four in his last eight tries, but double-digit major wins is dependent on so many factors such as health, longevity and life circumstances. Still, after watching what he did this week at Bethpage State Park’s Black Course, can you really bet against him?
12. Patrick Cantlay: He remains the best comeback story in golf among those not named Tiger Woods, following last month’s tie for ninth in the Masters with a tie for third finish Sunday at Bethpage. The former No. 1 amateur who fell off the face of the earth and missed multiple years because of back injuries is now one of the most consistent players in the world, and he’s inching closer to his first major victory.
Two down
4. Tiger Woods: Still running on fumes from his Masters victory, Woods dug himself an early hole and never got out. He missed the cut for just the ninth time in his career at a major championship and wasn’t nearly sharp enough to escape the punishing rough around Bethpage Black. Can he get back up to speed in time for the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach?
8. Jon Rahm: Pretty stunning to see Rahm miss the cut at a course that seemed so well-suited for his game. We’re not too concerned about his outlook this season and he was top-10 in the previous two majors, but a secondround 75 showed he hasn’t arrived as a consistent major contender just yet.