Brooks Koepka claimed a PGA Championship hat-trick and a landmark major win for LIV Golf on Sunday, but the day also belonged to Michael Block, a 46-year-old club professional, who capped a golfing fairytale with a hole-in-one.

Koepka, saying he had learnt his lessons from last month’s Masters when he led by two going into the final round before a collapse opened the door for Jon Rahm to grab the Green Jacket, began the day with a one-shot advantage and would not let go.

In a cool, clinical display, Koepka returned a three-under 67 for a winning total of nine-under 271 and a two-shot victory over world No 2 Scottie Scheffler and Norway’s Viktor Hovland.

“I just learned I knew what I did in Augusta,” Koepka told reporters. “I spent the whole night thinking about it.

“I knew what I did and I knew I was never going to come out and think that way again. Didn’t do that.”

The win gives Koepka a fifth major and third PGA Championship to go with back-to-back wins in 2018 and 2019.

With 33-year-old Koepka clinging to a one-shot lead, the turning point came at the par four 16th where the big-hitting American had a birdie and Hovland a double-bogey after trouble in a fairway bunker, opening up a four-shot cushion.

Scheffler began the day four shots back but by the back nine had put himself back in the thick of the chase.

In the end a terrible third round had put him in a hole that even the joint best round of the day, a five-under 65, could not dig him out of.

Hovland, bidding to become the first Norwegian man to win a golf major, closed with a 68 to grab a share of second.

“It sucks right now, but it is really cool to see that things are going in the right direction,” said Hovland, who has now contended in the past three majors with a tie for second at the British Open and tie for seventh at the Masters.

“If I just keep taking care of my business and just keep working on what I’ve been doing, I think we’re going to get one of these soon.”

Australian Cam Davis (65), Kurt Kitayama (65) and Bryson DeChambeau (70) finished six shots back in a tie for fourth.

The win will be remembered as a landmark moment for LIV Golf, with Koepka’s major victory being the first by a member of the controversial Saudi-bankrolled circuit, providing badly needed validation.

Block became the everyman blue-collar hero and gallery darling at Oak Hill by carrying the hopes and dreams of every duffer who has picked up a club.

Critics of LIV Golf have branded the big-money venture as uncompetitive and little more than a sports-washing enterprise by a country eager to polish its human rights record.

Koepka’s win will not end the human rights questions but will give LIV Golf a bit of the credibility and respect it is demanding.

Brooks Koepka plays an approach shot on the 18th hole during the final round of the 2023 PGA Championship at Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, New York, on 21 May 2023. (Photo: Andy Lyons / Getty Images)

“I definitely think it helps LIV, but I’m more interested in my own self right now, to be honest with you,” said Koepka, who had seen his career stalled over much of the past two years by knee injuries and surgery. “I think I was the first guy to win two LIV events.

“To win a major is always a big deal no matter where you’re playing.

“Yeah, it’s a huge thing for LIV, but at the same time I’m out here competing as an individual at the PGA Championship.”

Fan favourite

For all the magic produced by golf’s biggest names at Oak Hill, none could match what Block, an unknown club professional, conjured up.

Already a fan favourite before the final round teed off, Block, one of 20 teaching professionals in the field, added to a Rocky-like Hollywood script when his tee shot at the par-three 15th soared into the air and slammed straight into the cup without even rattling the flagstick.

The moment left Block, who was playing with four-time major winner Rory McIlroy, in disbelief.

“No, no, no way. Rory, did it go in?” Block said on the tee as spectators erupted in wild scenes around the green.

I’ve learned that after my 46 years of life it’s not going to get better than this, there’s no way. No chance in hell. So I’m going to enjoy this.

Block, who has “Why Not” written on his golf balls, became the everyman blue-collar hero and gallery darling at Oak Hill by carrying the hopes and dreams of every duffer who has picked up a club.

His legion of fans have not seen the last of the charismatic club pro who finished with a one-over 71, which was good enough for a tie for 15th and automatic entry into next year’s PGA Championship.

“I’m living a dream. I’m making sure that I enjoy this moment,” an emotional Block said after finishing one-over for the tournament on a week when only 11 players broke par.

“I’ve learned that after my 46 years of life it’s not going to get better than this, there’s no way. No chance in hell. So I’m going to enjoy this.”

Down-to-earth and personable, Block teaches golf at Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club in Mission Viejo.

Adoring galleries latched on to Block all week at Oak Hill and tried to will him to the most unlikely of victories, much like John Daly’s stunning triumph at the tournament in 1991.

“I’m like the new John Daly, but I don’t have a mullet, and I’m not quite as big as him yet,” said Block.

“I’m just a club professional, right? I work. I have fun. I have a couple boys that I love to play golf with. I have a great wife. I have great friends. I live the normal life.”

Cloud nine

There was nothing normal about Block’s final round, with his tee shot at the par-three 15th soaring through the air and slamming into the hole without even touching the green.

The hole-in-one produced the loudest roar of the week at Oak Hill and Block was presented with the flag from the green during his press conference.

“I blew the hole out. Rory (McIlroy) was like, we need to recut that thing. I walked up there, and half the hole, the hole back was just blown out,” said Block. “I still just feel like I’m on cloud nine right now.”

Michael Block acknowledges the crowd after playing the 18th green during the final round of the 2023 PGA Championship at Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, New York, on 21 May 2023 (Photo: Andrew Redington / Getty Images)

For Block, who missed the cut in his six previous major starts, the hole-in-one was simply one of many “pinch me” moments of a memorable week.

Paired with England’s Justin Rose for the third round, Block said he was so nervous playing with the former US Open winner that he could not even make eye contact with him for the first few holes.

Upon learning he would be playing the final round with four-time major champion McIlroy, Block simply turned away from the camera in disbelief.

Needing to make par on his final hole to secure a spot in the field at Valhalla next year, Block missed the green with his approach but scrambled for a remarkable up and down from nearly 31m.

Block said he has also been given the last sponsor’s exemption to play at next week’s PGA Tour event at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas.

But before he makes his way there he has one stop to make, and it is the same place he started his week.

“So, I was at the Pittsburgh Pub on Sunday night. Not one single person knew me,” said Block. “I’m going to go there in about an hour, and it’s going to be on. We’re going to have a crazy good time tonight, and I look forward to it.

“My life’s changed, but my life’s only changed for the better.” Reuters/DM