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Cape Town - Dustin Johnson was quick to congratulate compatriot Brooks Koepka on winning the PGA Tour Player of the Year award, putting perhaps to bed suggestions the good friends were friends no more.
Koepka, 28, captured the Jack Nicklaus Trophy after a historic 2017/18 campaign that saw him defend his US Open crown by winning at Shinnecock and then deny Tiger Woods a 15th major title by holding off a final-round rally at Bellerive.
Other finalists for the award included Englishman Justin Rose, British Open champion Francesco Molinari of Italy and American trio Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau and Justin Thomas.
Rumours of an argument between Koepka and Johnson following the conclusion of the recent Ryder Cup, which were denied at the time, have since been confirmed by US captain Jim Furyk.
"Whatever altercation started, or what happened, it was very brief," Furyk said.
"They're like brothers. Brothers may argue, brothers get into it. But they're as close as they've ever been, and it really had no effect on either one of them."
Certain reports suggested the duo's partners - Paulina Gretzky, Johnson's fiancee, and Jena Sims, Koepka's girlfriend - were also involved.
At the Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland last week, Koepka denied such an event occurred.
"This Dustin thing I don't get. There is no fight. There is no argument. He is one of my best friends. I love the kid to death," said Koepka.
"We talked on the phone Monday and yesterday so tell me how we fought? I don't know. People like to make a story and run with it."
There appeared to be no remaining ill-will between the pair, nicknamed the 'Bash Brothers' for their big hitting, with Johnson tweeting his congratulations to his fellow professional.
Congratulations @bkoepka. Great season bro...POY well deserved
— Dustin Johnson (@DJohnsonPGA) October 9, 2018
