Brooks Koepka said his game was showing signs of progress as he finished joint third at the Tour Championship in Atlanta, Georgia. The world number one won a tussle with Rory McIlroy to win the WGC-FedEx St Jude Invitational last month but the Northern Irishman got his revenge, by winning at East Lake Golf Club with a score of 18-under for the tournament.

Koepka was five shots further back in a tie for third with Justin Thomas and, while quick to praise McIlroy for his win, he saw positive signs in his own performance throughout the event. The American said: “I thought my consistency was a little bit better. I think if you take away the major wins, I would say this year is probably better.

“This year was very, very consistent. I felt like every time I needed to, I played well. This week, just didn’t get it done. I don’t think I was going to beat Rory today, even if I had it, but pleased with the season overall.”

Koepka’s other win this year, apart from the St Jude Invitational, was the PGA Championship, in which he triumphed by two strokes from Dustin Johnson. It was his fourth major win and Koepka’s consistency throughout the season was underlined by his performances in the other majors in 2019.

He was runner-up at the US Open and achieved his best ever finish in the other two, coming home tied second at the Masters and tied for fourth at the Open at Royal Portrush.

Koepka is now planning for some time off from the sport before returning for the 2019-20 season, adding of his experience at the Tour Championship: “I didn’t play how I wanted to, but at the same time, I still love the grind. I mean, I still love competing and trying to figure it out, even when it’s not your day.”

The Floridian is at 8.00 to win the US Masters next year with McIlroy 10.00 and Jordan Spieth 15.00.