Past PGA Championship winners Brooks Koepka (2018, 2019, 2023) and John Daly (1991) shared a special moment on Wednesday, playing a practice round together. Despite the significant age gap and the fact that Koepka was just a one-year-old when Daly won the Wanamaker Trophy, the pair have forged a close friendship over recent years.
"JD is the man," Koepka said. "I've always loved being around him. He's gotten close with my dad, as well. What was it, Bethpage? Him and my dad hung out for a while, and my dad got to come out and watch me until probably about the back nine.”
🚨 Defending Champion @BKoepka has arrived at Valhalla 🚨#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/X60kHL6DTn
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) May 13, 2024
The two text each other consistently to stay in touch. Amidst Koepka's intense preparation during a major week, the pair tries to play a practice round together. Last year, they played nine together ahead of the Open Championship. The time together provides a rare moment of relaxation for Koepka, 34, ahead of the PGA Championship.
"I've heard from just kind of the people around me, it's just different," Koepka said. "Like my demeanor and focus is just different [at majors]. I can't explain it. I don't really know how to or what I really do different.
"But everybody on the team can kind of see it and they kind of know I can walk right past them and I don't even know that they are there sometimes. It's just it's a grinding week. You've got to be fully locked in. I feel like you can't take one shot off."
Koepka will start his title defense off Thursday at 8:37 AM.
