IF BROOKS COULD KILL

'Contract killer' Koepka primed for title defence

- NEIL MCLEMAN

DEFENDING champion Brooks Koepka is running "hot" and ready to follow his record fourth LIV title with victory at the US PGA this week.

The American has been dubbed a "contract killer" who is on a mission to win his sixth Major in Kentucky by former US Open winner Andy North.

No man has won more Major titles than the former world No.1 since his first US Open triumph in 2017.

And his short-game guru Pete Cowen said Koepka, who made 17 birdies in 54 holes to win in Singapore earlier this month, is back in the form to retain his title at Valhalla.

The Yorkshireman said: "He is one of the best players in the world. He is definitely in the mix - there's no doubt about that - and when he has just won, he has always got the bit between his teeth and his confidence is up.