‘Probably not a better player right now in the game’: Jack Nicklaus lauds Brooks Koepka

Jack Nicklaus is considered by many to be the greatest golfer of all-time. So when the 18-time major champion doles out praise, you should probably listen and pay attention.

After winning his first PGA Tour Player of the Year title, three-time major champion Brooks Koepka was the latest recipient of praise from the Golden Bear.

“I don’t think he’s gotten the credit he deserves,” Nicklaus said. “I think he’ll get it now because there’s probably not a better player right now in the game in the U.S. than Brooks Koepka. Everything he gets now, he’s deserved.”

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After highlighting Koepka’s unusual path to stardom, Nicklaus said that “[Koepka] didn’t catch fire, but [Koepka] kept getting better each year.”

Nicklaus also applauded Koepka’s three major championships over the last two years and commended the 28-year-old for his victories despite suffering through injuries earlier this season.

But that wasn’t the only kind gesture Nicklaus had towards Koepka this week. During Koepka’s interview with the PGA Tour after being named its Player of the Year on Tuesday, the Golden Bear snuck up behind the three-time major champion and surprised him with the Jack Nicklaus Trophy itself, which is given every year to the Tour’s best player.