Brooks Koepka said he deserved the New York crowd turning against him because he was “half-choking” away the US PGA title.
The new world No.1 started the final round at Bethpage Black with a seven-shot lead but four consecutive bogeys saw Dustin Johnson close within one.
And the raucous fans on Long Island were loudly cheering on Johnson to win his second Major before Koepka came through Brooks Koepka retains US PGA title after surviving late wobble in New York .
The double US Open and US PGA champion has now won four Majors in the last 23 months.
But asked about the locals supporting Johnson, Koepka said: “It's New York. What do you expect, when you're half-choking it away?
Brooks Koepka retains US PGA title after surviving late wobble in New York
“I think I kind of deserved it. You're going to rattle off four in a row and it looks like you're going to lose it; I've been to sporting events in New York. I know how it goes.
“I tell you what, the hour spent from No. 11 to 14 was interesting. When they started chanting: 'DJ' on 14, it actually helped, to be honest with you.
"I think it helped me kind of refocus and hit a good one down 15. I think that was probably the best thing that could have happened.
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"It was very, very stressful, the last hour and a half of that round. That's why I let a big sigh of relief go."
Asked about the New York fans, Rory McIlroy said: “No comment.”
And there is sure to be an even hotter atmosphere when the Ryder Cup is staged at Bethpage Black in 2024.
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“We've actually talked about this a lot during the week,” Koepka said. “Good luck to Europe with the fans. I can't wait to play it.
"I hope I'm on the team. If not, I just want to be here.
“It's going to be very special. It's going to be a lot of fun. I can't wait to play it. I'm excited already thinking about it. This is one hell of a place to play Ryder Cup.”
