Brooks Koepka shares awkward conversation with PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh following his PGA Championship win – after the chief previously criticized ‘flawed’ LIV Golf
- Brooks Koepka defeated Viktor Hovland and Scottie Scheffler to win US PGA
- Seth Waugh appeared to avoid eye contact or shaking hands with Koepka
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PGA Championship winner Brooks Koepka shared an awkward conversation with PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh during the trophy presentation at Oak Hill Sunday.
Koepka took his fifth major win on Sunday as he defeated Viktor Hovland and recently re-crowned world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler to lift the Wanamaker trophy for the third time.
But the ceremony in which the American presented his third PGA Championship trophy created what appeared to be a slightly awkward moment between him and the tournament director.
During the presentation broadcast, the 33-year-old was seen at the Wanamaker as Waugh walked over to pose for a photo.
The PGA of America chief posed briefly close to Koepka before appearing to step aside at the recently crowned champion.
Brooks Koepka (R) shared an awkward conversation with PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh (L)
Koepka took his fifth major victory on Sunday and lifted the Wanamaker trophy for the third time
Seemingly unable to bear it much longer, Waugh quickly left without a handshake or even any eye contact with Koepka.
As the CEO walked away, he seemed to be whispering something to the champ, who, smiling but also slightly dismayed, turned and spread his hands.
While it’s not clear what Waugh said or whether the interaction was indeed awkward, Waugh was rather critical of LIV Golf.
Koepka is the first LIV player to win a major since jumping from the PGA Tour last year.
In the brief existence of the breakout, Waugh has done a few digs on the Rebel circuit, which Koepka joined last summer.
“Their logic that the team game is something important that people can get behind I think is flawed,” Waugh told The Times 10 days ago. “I don’t think people really care. And I don’t see how it’s a viable business model.
“They can fund it for as long as they want, but no matter how much money you have, at some point it doesn’t feel very good to burn it. I don’t see them achieving much.’
Waugh is also a board member of the Official World Golf Ranking, which is considering LIV’s application for recognition.
Koepka posed with the trophy after his win against members of the PGA of America
The application was filed last July, but Waugh claimed it would be a long process.
“There are certain parts of their structure that can be solved by math, but there may be some pretty fundamental things that are more difficult,” Waugh added. “There’s the potential conflict with the team aspect and then the entry – how do you get demoted and promoted?
“They had our last reply weeks ago and we haven’t heard anything yet. They have made a bad assumption that this will be a quick process. It never was. Each application has taken over a year to my knowledge.
The PGA of America chief has checked LIV Golf a few times since its inception last year
“I can’t speculate (on how long it will take) because they haven’t responded. Maybe they need to fix things too, and it’s not clear if they want to.’
Waugh did, however, speak of his hopes for civility between the rebels and PGA Tour loyalists at his organization’s major after the first of the year, the Masters.
“The good news is that the Masters went first and set the stage for, quite frankly, civility,” he said. “That’s the tone we want — no one died, right?
“I’ve lived in a world of disruption my entire business career, and disruption is generally healthy. It makes you better and the game is better.’