PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh reveals he shared a joke with Brooks Koepka, NOT an awkward exchange

PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh performed down hypothesis of a clumsy interplay with Brooks Koepka following the latter’s PGA Championship win on the weekend. 

Koepka clinched his fifth main win Sunday as he edged out Viktor Hovland and the newly re-crowned World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler to carry the Wanamaker trophy for a 3rd time.

However some speculated that the five-time main winner has a tense interplay with the PGA of America chief as he was offered with the Wanamaker trophy for the third time in his profession. 

On the published of the presentation, the 33-year-old may very well be seen stood by the Wanamaker as Waugh made his method over to briefly pose for a photograph earlier than swiftly strolling away and not using a handshake. 

Nonetheless, Waugh has since shut down the social media conspiracists, explaining that the pair had been truly sharing a joke. 

PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh (L) shut down claims of awkwardness with Brooks Koepka (R)

The PGA of America chief claimed he was sharing a joke with the newly-crowned champion

‘I actually mentioned to him, “I believe they’ve 4 million photos of me. They will need to have 24 million photos of you. I’ve by no means seen one among them and I do not know for those who ever have,”‘ Waugh advised Todd Lewis of Golf Channel.

‘He cracked up, he laughed and we variety a circled and smiled at one another. That was it. Any person selected to assume that was a diss and I hadn’t shaken his hand. I already talked to him 5 instances since he received. I definitely shook his hand and advised him how proud I used to be of him.’

The PGA of America chief had posed near Koepka for a quick second earlier than showing to take a aspect step away from the not too long ago topped champion. 

Seemingly unable to bear it for much longer, Waugh made a swift exit and not using a handshake and even any eye contact with Koepka. 

Because the CEO walked away, he appeared to whisper one thing to the champion, who circled and splayed his palms out smiling. 

The hypothesis was heightened by the truth that Waugh has beforehand been essential of LIV Golf. 

Koepka is the primary LIV participant to have received a serious since leaping ship from the PGA Tour final yr. 

Within the breakaway’s quick existence, Waugh has taken just a few digs on the insurgent circuit, which Koepka joined final summer season. 

Koepka clinched his fifth main win Sunday to carry the Wanamaker trophy for the third time 

‘Their logic in regards to the workforce play being one thing vital that individuals can get behind I believe is flawed,’ Waugh advised The Instances simply 10 days in the past. ‘I do not assume folks actually care about it. And I do not see the way it’s a survivable enterprise mannequin. 

‘They will fund it for so long as they need to, however regardless of how a lot cash you have got, sooner or later burning it would not really feel superb. I do not see they’re undertaking a lot.’

Waugh can be a board member of the Official World Golf Rating, which is contemplating LIV’s software for recognition.

The software was lodged final July however Waugh claimed that it will be a protracted course of. 

‘There are particular elements of their construction that may be solved by math, however there could also be some fairly elementary issues which might be tougher,’ Waugh added. ‘There’s the potential battle with the workforce side after which entry – how do you get relegated and promoted?

‘They’d our newest response weeks in the past and we’ve not heard again. They’ve made a nasty assumption that this will probably be a fast course of. It by no means has been. Each software has taken a year-plus so far as I am conscious.

Koepka posed with the trophy after his victory with members of the PGA of America 

‘I can not speculate (on how lengthy it is going to take) as a result of they haven’t responded. They might have to resolve issues as effectively, and it is not clear whether or not they’re keen to.’

Nonetheless, Waugh did contact upon his hope for civility between the rebels and the PGA Tour loyalists at his organizations main following the primary of the yr, the Masters. 

‘The excellent news is the Masters went first and set the stage for, frankly, civility,’ he mentioned. ‘That is the tone we wish -nobody died, proper? 

‘I lived in a world of disruption my complete enterprise profession and disruption is mostly wholesome. It makes you higher, and the sport is healthier.’