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Golf-Koepka is no Tiger, at least not yet says Scott

By Andrew Both

FARMINGDALE, N.Y., May 18 (Reuters) - Brooks Koepka has won plenty of admirers with his runaway performance at the PGA Championship, but former world number one Adam Scott is not quite ready to anoint him as the next Tiger Woods.

Koepka has won the past two U.S. Opens and stands poised to also make it back-to-back PGA titles after establishing a seven-stroke lead following the third round on Saturday.

Nobody has dominated in such a manner since Woods was in his prime.

Woods held all four major titles at the same time in 2000-01, a stretch that included a 15-stroke win at the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach.

He has 15 career major titles and 81 PGA Tour victories.

Scott, however, said it was too early to compare Koepka to Woods.

"It's not quite the same, and that's no disrespect to Brooks," said Australian Scott. "I think comparing anything to Tiger is a little unfair in a good or a bad way.

"It would be probably bringing down what he managed to accomplish. He did this multiple times in majors, let alone (regular PGA Tour) tournaments."

Scott carded two-over-par 72 at Bethpage Black on Saturday after he had started the day equal second, but ended it tied for eighth at three-under 207, nine strokes behind Koepka.

"Brooks has separated himself here," said the 2013 Masters champion. "It's unlikely that he could play poor enough to cough it up tomorrow, but you've got to tee off with the hope."

(Editing by Greg Stutchbury)