Koepka takes two-stroke lead at the US PGA Championship, Latest Golf News - The New Paper
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Koepka takes two-stroke lead at the US PGA Championship

Two-time US Open champion Brooks Koepka seized a two-stroke lead after the third round of the US PGA Championship yesterday morning (Singapore time), while Tiger Woods charged into contention for his first Major title in 10 years.

Fourth-ranked Koepka, who had stretched the lead as large as five shots, fired a four-under 66 to stand on 12-under 198 after 54 holes at Bellerive Country Club in the year's final Major event.

The laid-back 24-year-old American has never before led a Major entering the final round, but he shrugged off having 13 rivals within five strokes, even a long-awaited Woods challenge among seven Major champions in that pack.

Koepka, who became the first back-to-back US Open winner since 1989 in June at Shinnecock, birdied five of the first nine holes but stumbled with bogeys at 14 and 15 only to boost his lead with a birdie at the par-five 17th.

Australian Adam Scott, the 2013 Masters champion, was second on 200 after shooting 65, with Spain's Jon Rahm and Americans Rickie Fowler and Gary Woodland, each chasing his first Major title, sharing third on 201.

Woods, a 14-time Major champion in his comeback season from spinal fusion surgery, fired a 66 to share fourth on 202 with second-ranked defending champion Justin Thomas, 2009 British Open winner Stewart Cink, Ireland's Shane Lowry, Australia's Jason Day and South African Charl Schwartzel. - AFP

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