Rory McIlroy just happy to be back at work

Former US Open champion Johnson took a one-shot lead into the final round at Harding Park, with Koepka two shots behind in pursuit of an historic third straight victory in the event and a fifth major title in 11 starts.

Asked about his chances after the third round, Koepka told CBS: “A lot of guys on the leaderboard I don’t think have won (a major). I guess DJ has only won one. I don’t know a lot of the other guys that are up there.”

Speaking after a final round of 68, his best of the week, left him on two under par, McIlroy said: “It’s a very different mentality to bring to golf that I don’t think a lot of golfers have.

“I was watching the golf last night and heard the interview and was just taken aback a little bit by what he said and whether he was trying to play mind games or not.

“If he’s trying to play mind games, he’s trying to do it to the wrong person. I don’t think DJ really gives much of a concern (about) that.

“I certainly try to respect everyone out here. Everyone is a great player. If you’ve won a major championship, you’re a hell of a player. Doesn’t mean you’ve ‘only’ won one; you’ve won one and you’ve had to do a lot of good things to do that.

“I mean (it’s) sort of hard to knock a guy (Johnson) that’s got 21 wins on the PGA Tour, which is three times what Brooks has.”

McIlroy was in brilliant form before golf was forced to shutdown due to the coronavirus pandemic and has struggled to reproduce that since, although the world number three was not about to bemoan his lot in life.

“I’m happy just to be out on the golf course (with) so many people that still can’t get back to work,” McIlroy added. “I’m happy to be playing golf and grateful that we’re still able to play out here.

“I haven’t played as well as I’ve wanted to, but it beats being sat on the couch at home, so I’ll take it.”

Collin Morikawa will relish life in the spotlight as golf’s newest major champion and is already targeting more glory in the game’s biggest events.

Playing in just his second major and 28th tournament since turning professional 14 months ago, Morikawa won the US PGA Championship in sensational fashion after a thrilling final round at Harding Par.

The 23-year-old emerged from a seven-way tie for the lead in the closing stages by chipping in for a birdie on the 14th hole and then producing a stunning eagle on the 16th by driving the green on the 294-yard par four and holing from seven feet.

A closing 64 equalled the lowest round of the week and gave Morikawa a two-shot victory – his third since turning pro – over England’s Paul Casey and overnight leader Johnson, who has now failed to convert any of his four 54-hole leads in majors.

Morikawa, whose only error came during the presentation ceremony when the lid of the Wanamaker Trophy fell off as he held it aloft, said: “I feel very comfortable in this spot.

“When I woke up (on Sunday) I was like, this is meant to be. This is where I feel very comfortable. This is where I want to be, and I’m not scared from it. I think if I was scared from it, the last few holes would have been a little different, but you want to be in this position.

“And for me it doesn’t stop here. I’ve got a very good taste of what this is like, what a major championship is like.

“I’m 23. This is my first full year.”