Twitter can’t believe Brooks Koepka didn’t win POY

September 11, 2019

In case you missed it, Rory McIlroy was named PGA Tour Player of the Year on Wednesday, and many observers were shocked that McIlroy was given the honor over Brooks Koepka, who was seen as a lock after turning in top performances at the year’s most important tournaments.

Koepka won the PGA Championship at Bethpage Black, was runner-up at both the Masters and the U.S. Open, and was T4 at the Open Championship. He also won the WGC-FedEx St. Jude and the C.J. Cup at Nine Bridges and is the reigning No. 1-ranked player in the world.

Like Koepka, McIlroy also had three wins last season (the Players Championship, the RBC Canadian Open and the Tour Championship), but his best finish in the majors was T8. McIlroy also won the FedEx Cup and had an impressive 14 top-10 finishes in 19 events.

The PGA Tour Player of the Year is voted upon by the players’ peers, and is not based on statistics of any kind. While McIlroy was certainly a deserving contender, many observers — especially in the Twitterverse — felt that Koepka was a more deserving POY, and they weren’t shy about sharing their outrage.

BROOKS FLEECED WHAT A JOKE LMAO
— OG🌵🔱 (@SadAZYotesFan) September 11, 2019

Is Koepka not well liked on Tour? This result sounds like a elementary school popularity contest.
— Mike Winslow (@AgentWinslow) September 11, 2019

I love Rory, but that's ridiculous.
— John Feinstein (@FeinsteinBooks_) September 11, 2019

Rory McIlroy wins PGA Tour Player of the Year. Nothing against Rory BUT no Brooks Koepka?? Top five in ALL four Majors?
— Bob Pompeani (@KDPomp) September 11, 2019

Not McIlroy's fault, of course, and he did enjoy a fine 2019. But it is ridiculous that the PGA Tour players voted for @McIlroyRory over @BKoepka as their Player of the Year. McIlroy would swap his season with Koepka's in a heartbeat. Shouldn't be a popularity contest
— James Corrigan (never had a blue tick) (@jcorrigangolf) September 11, 2019

Rory wins tour's Player of Year, not Brooks Koepka? Would Koepka trade his year for Rory's? Not a chance. Would Rory trade his year for Koepka's? I bet he would.
— Gary VanSickle (@GaryVanSickle) September 11, 2019

There better be paper ballots because I want a recount. https://t.co/oglrMoztpt
— Alan Shipnuck (@AlanShipnuck) September 11, 2019

While several users commented that this latest slight will only motivate Koepka to even greater heights next year, Golf Channel’s Rich Lerner tweeted that he had reached Koepka for comment, and Koepka was gracious about the situation.

Just touched base with @BKoepka and he was very gracious, saying “Rory had a great year, congrats to him.”
— Rich Lerner (@RichLernerGC) September 11, 2019

Other players in the running for this past season’s POY were Matt Kuchar and Xander Schauffele. McIlroy’s win marks the third of his career, and first since 2014.

To receive GOLF’s all-new newsletters, subscribe for free here.