Brooks Koepka holds one-shot lead going into final round of US PGA Championship 2023 at Oak Hill

BySam Rooke

Updated 21/05/2023 at 11:22 GMT

Brooks Koepka blazed into the lead at Oak Hill on Saturday, positioning himself for a potential third PGA Championship win and fifth major title. His impressive third-round score of 66, which included five birdies and just one bogey amid heavy rain, swung him to a one-shot lead heading into the final round. Corey Conners and Viktor Hovland sit one back.

Brooks Koepka hit a second straight 66 at Oak Hill to lead the US PGA Championship going into the final day.

The 33-year-old is a two-time US PGA winner - in 2018 and 2019 - and has won four majors in total.

As a result of his impressive round, Koepka will have a one-shot lead going into the final round.

Olympic Games Paris 2024

'Something special' - Paris 2024 a 'massive goal' for Rose

00:02:56

|

10/01/2024 at 23:59

Despite the heavy rain and rather challenging conditions, Koepka kept his head and delivered a resilient performance that propelled him to six under overall. Corey Conners and Viktor Hovland sit in striking distance at five under, followed by Bryson DeChambeau two shots back.

Justin Rose and Scottie Scheffler trail Koepka by four, with Rory McIlroy five strokes behind.

There were boos for Koepka when he took the first tee but his stellar performance soon quietened the critics, and by the time he reached the 18th, the crowd greeted him with cheers.

DeChambeau, who was also booed, spoke after the day's play on the crowd reaction.

'It's the mental aspect' - McIlroy insists he's 'close' to ending major title drought

He said: "I don't care. I mean, it's not a big deal. They are going to do that no matter what. You know what, look, it's New York, and I expect it here. I appreciate the fans. Them doing that to me it's like, okay, cool, no problem. If we got applause, that's fantastic and if not, you know what, whatever it is, it is."

For his part, Koepka acknowledged his less than ideal final day at The Masters, where he was overhauled by Jon Rahm.

He said: "I know what I did at the Masters, but it won’t happen this time. It’s kind of irritating but I’ll never do it again.”

Koepka's current form, fitness, and mental resilience make him a formidable competitor.

Back-to-back birdies on the fourth and fifth, and 12th and 13th holes contributed to his strong round, although a bogey on the seventh hole showed he wasn't having it all his own way.

• Who are the European hopefuls at the PGA Championship?
• Jon Rahm struggles to make the cut on day two at the PGA Championship

Meanwhile, Conners and Hovland, both vying for their first major victory, made late errors that will likely prove costly. Conners picked up a double-bogey on the 16th after landing in a sand trap, while Hovland's uncontrolled drive on the 18th led to a bogey of his own.

Barely mentioned in dispatches after a two-over 72 in his first round on Thursday, Koepka has stormed into the lead on the back of two sterling rounds.

2021 champion Phil Mickelson made history by making his 27th cut at this event, equalling the record of Jack Nicklaus and Ray Floyd.

Sponsored | Ryder Cup

Rose wins the Nicklaus-Jacklin Award, the ultimate symbol of the Ryder Cup

16/10/2023 at 07:35

BMW PGA Championship

McIlroy overcomes final hole chaos to make cut at BMW PGA Championship

16/09/2023 at 11:35

Masters

'This one is for Seve' - Rahm claims dominant victory at The Masters

10/04/2023 at 11:54