The rivalry between Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka has proven to be explosive, both on and off the golf course. It shouldn’t calm down this week at the World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions in China.
Koepka surpassed Johnson as the No. 1 player in the world earlier this week, but that shift didn’t show up in that latest round of golf betting odds for this annual event at the Sheshan Golf Club in Shanghai,
The Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook has Johnson as the favorite to win at 7/1. Koepka is next at 8/1, with last year’s winner, Justin Rose at 9/1. Rory McIlroy is in the mix at 10/1.
Koepka had the better 2017-2018 season, which concluded in September with the Tour Championship. He won two of the four majors, the US Open and the PGA Championship. Johnson won three events, but none were major championships. Koepka took home the PGA Tour Player of the Year.
Friendly Rivalry or Growing Rift?
Despite their competitive nature, both Koepka and Johnson were close. The two are work out partners and friends. That was tested a month ago at the Ryder Cup, where there were multiple reports of the two getting into a physical altercation.
The conflict reportedly started on the plane ride to Paris, where the competition was being held. The rumored source of the argument was Johnson’s fiancée, Paulina Gretzky, daughter of hockey great, Wayne Gretzky.
That simmered for most of the Ryder Cup, which the US team lost, and then apparently blew up where the two had to be pulled apart after getting into a heated exchange during a party in the European team’s locker room.
Koepka denied any problems between the two a week later at the Dunhill Cup in Scotland.
“This Dustin thing, I don’t get,” Koepka said. “There’s no fight. There’s no argument. He’s one of my best friends. I mean, we talked on the phone yesterday. So you tell me how we fought. I don’t know. People like to make a story and run with it, and I mean, it’s not the first time that there’s been a news story that isn’t true that’s come out.”
When asked about it at Tuesday’s appearance with the media in China, Johnson also denied the rift.
“Yeah, we’ve got a really good relationship,” Johnson said. “We kind of push each other. You know, he’s a really good player, and obviously I do okay, too. Yeah, it’s a great relationship and we push each other to get better. And yes, there is a lot of trash talking.”
Early Advantage to Koepka
Koepka got a jump on his rival when he won the CJ Nine Bridges Cup last week. The 28-year-old shot 21-under par and finished four strokes better than Gary Woodland.
Both Koepka and Johnson were at this event last year, and Johnson had a large third round lead, but couldn’t hold it in the final round, losing to Justin Rose, who is convinced he can become the first golfer to repeat here.
“There’s a lot going on this time of year and obviously for me, this time last year, I started to play really well and won a few tournaments right at the back end of the year, which made a huge difference,” Rose said. “This tournament absolutely did kick-start some great golf for me that’s lasted the best part of the year.”
Koepka is off to a similar start, and said it does provide a lot of confidence.
“To start the year off with a win is something you always want to do,” Koepka said. “One-for-one is always nice. I like this golf course. I like the way it sets up.”