All of the the explanation why Sunday on the PGA Championship nonetheless issues

FARMINGDALE, N.Y. — Brooks Koepka did not widen his lead within the third spherical of the 101st PGA Championship at Bethpage Black on Saturday.

However the defending PGA Championship winner did not give something again to the remainder of the sphere, both.

Koepka shot even-par 70, for a 54-hole complete of 12 below, to take care of his seven-shot benefit heading into Sunday’s closing spherical, along with his buddy Dustin Johnson, Harold Varner III, Luke Checklist and Thailand’s Jazz Janewattaanond chasing him because the closest rivals.

Within the Masters period since 1934, there have been 24 situations of a golfer having a lead of 5 or extra strokes via 54 holes at a serious championship.

Brooks Koepka has put up some staggering numbers already this week. So what’s in retailer for Sunday? EPA/JUSTIN LANE

Solely 4 instances did a participant fail to carry the lead — Jean Van de Velde at 1999 Open Championship (led by 5 strokes), Greg Norman on the 1996 Masters (led by 5), Ed Sneed at 1979 Masters (led by 5) and Tom Watson at 1978 PGA Championship (led by 5).

Let’s not child ourselves: Koepka is not pulling a Van de Velde.

“Nicely, I am positively not going to let up; I promise you that. … I would like to drive it on the sphere and I could make it the place it is as large as a lead as I presumably can get,” Koepka stated. “I imply, it could be good to have the ability to make a 10 on the final gap and be okay. However I am simply taking part in to play good golf, and wherever that places me, I will be happy if I simply go play yet one more good spherical.”

Whereas it is likely to be too early to etch Koepka’s identify onto the Wanamaker Trophy for the second straight 12 months, it appears inevitable via 54 holes.

“It’s a bizarre factor,” stated Xander Schauffele, who’s tied for eighth at three below. “This can be a main championship, and everyone seems to be right here to win, however there’s just one man who’s completely simply destroying this place. So I am certain he is having a blast. However for the remainder of us, he is making it awfully boring.”

With that being stated, listed here are 4 causes it is best to watch the ultimate spherical of the PGA Championship on Sunday:

As a result of we now have to see what else Koepka does

Koepka has torched the sphere. He is set some milestones and has some others in sight.

Some choose firm he is already joined:

Finest rating to par via 54 holes (Masters period)

YearPlayerEventScore2001David TomsPGA Championship1961995Ernie ElsPGA Championship1972018Brooks KoepkaPGA Championship1982001Phil MickelsonPGA Championship1981996Tom LehmanThe Open1982019Brooks KoepkaPGA Championship198

He might be part of some large names who’ve gained multiple PGA Championship and U.S. Open:

Gamers with a number of PGA Championship and U.S. Open wins

PlayerU.S. Open winsPGA Championship winsJack Nicklaus45Ben Hogan42Tiger Woods34Walter Hagen25Gene Sarazen23Lee Trevino22

New York is a giant stage. Few have owned the marquee greater than as soon as in a serious:

Gamers with a number of main wins in New York

PlayerMajor wins in New YorkGene Sarazen1923 PGA, 1932 U.S. OpenBobby Jones1923 U.S. Open, 1929 U.S. OpenWalter Hagen1921 PGA, 1926 PGAJim Barnes1916 PGA, 1919 PGA

It has been an extended, very long time since anybody has gone wire-to-wire, which Koepka is ready to do:

Wire-to-wire winners of PGA Championship

YearPlayerScore1983Hal Sutton-101982Raymond Floyd-81971Jack Nicklaus-71964Bobby Nichols-9

As a result of we now have to see who wins the non-Koepka division of the PGA

There are solely 15 gamers with 54-totals below par, and considered one of them is greater than probably going to complete second to Koepka.

DJ thinks he has an opportunity, however he is probably taking part in for second like everybody else.

“I’ll want some assist from him [on Sunday], after which I’ll need to play very, very properly,” Johnson stated.

Koepka leaked oil at instances on Saturday — he had consecutive bogeys, on Nos. 9 and 10, for the primary time since The Gamers in March and likewise posted a bogey on No. 16 — however nobody else took benefit of his errors.

Together with the 4 gamers in second place at 5 below, Matt Wallace (four below), Schauffele (three below), Patrick Cantlay (three below), Adam Scott (three below), Jordan Spieth (three below) and Rickie Fower (1 below) are within the combine.

Will anybody apply some strain to Koepka on Sunday? DJ might need carried out it in a closing pairing, however he posted a bogey on No. 18, which gave the spot to Varner III. Appears unlikely.

“Nobody likes to play for second, however that is type of what he is doing to us,” Schauffele stated.

As a result of there’s multiple participant attempting to get into the Masters

The highest 4 finishers within the PGA Championship, together with ties, obtain invites to the 2020 Masters.

A handful of gamers at the moment ranked exterior the highest 50 of the Official World Golf Rankings are in competition to earn their first journey to Augusta Nationwide, together with Varner III, Janewattananond and South Africa’s Erik Van Rooyen (tied for 12th at 2 below).

“It is superior. It is a terrific alternative,” Varner III stated. “It will be a terrific day it doesn’t matter what occurs. That is what you apply for, and clearly I am tremendous excited.”

Two different gamers — Checklist and Lucas Glover (tied for 16th, even) — are in competition to return to Augusta for the primary time shortly. Checklist final performed the Masters in 2005, Glover in 2014.

As a result of it’s a must to see what the followers at Bethpage Black may do subsequent

Here is what they did Saturday. You by no means know what they’re going to do Sunday,

One factor we all know: They will at all times love Phil.

Shattered the file. Not the spherical I needed. Sport is nearer than my rating. I am placing all I’ve into tomorrow’s spherical. Thanks NY for all of your help. ❤️👍 pic.twitter.com/A0w9O6YXCs

— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) Could 18, 2019

Tony Finau’s dance is method higher than his hole-in-one celebration.

My New York followers ask for an 🦅 dance. I do an eagle dance 🤣 https://t.co/CGPXpgwBZ6

— Tony Finau Golf (@tonyfinaugolf) Could 18, 2019

You by no means know who will get the Bronx cheers at Bethpage.

Why are they booing Luke Checklist??

— Luke Donald (@LukeDonald) Could 18, 2019

So who is aware of what comes subsequent.