Brooks Koepka shares awkward exchange with PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh following his PGA Championship win – after the chief previously criticized ‘flawed’ LIV Golf
- Brooks Koepka edged out Viktor Hovland and Scottie Scheffler to win US PGA
- Seth Waugh seemed to avoid making eye contact or shaking hands with Koepka
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PGA Championship winner Brooks Koepka shared an awkward exchange with PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh during the trophy presentation at Oak Hill Sunday.
Koepka clinched his fifth major win Sunday as he edged out Viktor Hovland and the newly re-crowned World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler to lift the Wanamaker trophy for a third time.
But the ceremony that saw the American presented with his third PGA Championship trophy provided what appeared to be a slightly awkward moment between him and the tournament chief.
On the broadcast of the presentation, the 33-year-old could be seen stood by the Wanamaker as Waugh made his way over to briefly pose for a photo.
The PGA of America chief posed close to Koepka for a brief moment before appearing to take a side step away from the recently crowned champion.
Brooks Koepka (R) shared an awkward exchange with PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh (L)
Koepka clinched his fifth major win Sunday to lift the Wanamaker trophy for the third time
Seemingly unable to bear it much longer, Waugh made a swift exit without a handshake or even any eye contact with Koepka.
As the CEO walked away, he appeared to whisper something to the champion, who turns around and splays his hands out smiling but also somewhat dismayed.
While it isn’t clear what Waugh said or if the interaction was indeed awkward, Waugh has previously been critical of LIV Golf.
Koepka is the first LIV player to have won a major since jumping ship from the PGA Tour last year.
In the breakaway’s short existence, Waugh has taken a few digs at the rebel circuit, which Koepka joined last summer.
‘Their logic about the team play being something significant that people can get behind I think is flawed,’ Waugh told The Times just 10 days ago. ‘I don’t think people really care about it. And I don’t see how it’s a survivable business model.
‘They can fund it for as long as they want to, but no matter how much money you have, at some point burning it doesn’t feel very good. I don’t see they are accomplishing 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 victory with members of the PGA of America
The application was lodged last July but Waugh claimed that 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 harder,’ Waugh added. ‘There’s the potential conflict with the team aspect and then access – how do you get relegated and promoted?
‘They had our latest response weeks ago and we haven’t heard back. They have made a bad assumption that this will be a quick process. It never has been. Every application has taken a year-plus as far as I’m aware.
The PGA of America chief has taken a few digs at LIV Golf since it began last year
‘I can’t speculate (on how long it will take) because they have not responded. They may have to solve things as well, and it’s not clear whether they’re willing to.’
However, Waugh did touch upon his hope for civility between the rebels and the PGA Tour loyalists at his organizations major following the first of the year, the Masters.
‘The good news is the Masters went first and set the stage for, frankly, civility,’ he said. ‘That’s the tone we want -nobody died, right?
‘I lived in a world of disruption my whole business career and disruption is generally healthy. It makes you better, and the game is better.’
