Brooks Koepka dominated the field at the 2019 PGA Championship over two rounds, and the final 36 holes of the tournament may be a formality following his historic start at Bethpage Black. One day after setting a new course record with a bogey-free score of 63, Koepka carded birdies on four of his final six holes to get to 12-under par for the tournament and open up a seven-shot lead on the rest of the field, breaking numerous records in the process. Here’s a quick recap of Koepka’s brilliance, in five stats:
1. Koepka set a new 36-hole scoring record at majors
You can certainly make the argument that because Bethpage Black is a par-70 course, Koepka’s record isn’t as impressive as, say, Jordan Spieth’s 130 at The Masters in 2015 (14-under par). Still, it’s pretty spectacular, especially at such a brutal course.
2. Koepka beat Tiger Woods by 17 shots over two rounds
Tiger Woods, who played alongside Koepka for the first two rounds, missed the cut and finished the tournament at 5-over par.
3. Koepka is the first player to ever go so low after an opening-round 63
There are only 18 players within 10 shots of Koepka after two rounds of play.
4. Koekpa’s 36-hole margin is the best at a major since 1934
Henry Cotton went on to win the Open at Royal St. George’s that year by five strokes.
5. Koepka’s bogey-free streak has never been matched at Bethpage Black
To give you an idea of how tough Bethpage Black has played this week, only 35 players out of a field of 156 posted scores under par through 36 holes.
