Despite them being number one and two in the world, Brooks Koepka says there is no rivalry between him and Rory McIlroy.
Since joining the PGA tour in 2014, Koepka has become one of the sport's dominant forces, winning four majors - two US Opens and two PGA Championships - to equal McIlroy's major total.
In 2019, both players recorded three wins. For McIlroy, that included the season-ending Tour Championship where Koepka finished tied for third.
Speaking on the GOLFPASS podcast last month, McIlroy said that he went into that tournament with the attitude that there was a rivalry between him and Koepka.
"I needed that mentality going into East Lake because, you know, there was a little bit of revenge in there," said McIlroy.
"He talked about trying to be the dominant player in the game, and that was said to me in the media, and I said, ‘He’s going to have to go through me first.’
"If that’s both of our mentalities going forward, I think that’s good for the game."
For Koepka, though, that rivalry does not exist.
"I've been out here for, what, five years," Koepka told AFP.
Rory hasn't won a major since I've been on the PGA Tour. So I just don't view it as a rivalry.
Koepka added that he's not paying any attention to those behind him in the world rankings.
"I'm number one in the world," said Koepka.
"I've got open road in front of me I'm not looking in the rearview mirror, so I don't see it as a rivalry.
"You know if the fans do (call it a rivalry), then that's on them and it could be fun.
"Look I love Rory he's a great player and he's fun to watch, but it's just hard to believe there's a rivalry in golf. I just don't see it."
Picture credit: Sportsfile
