MIAMI — Erik Spoelstra had his team fully expecting that Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals would be extremely difficult, that the Miami Heat were going to have to take the best shot that a desperate bunch of Boston Celtics could muster.

He was wrong.

It was a Heat romp – and a team that had to pull off a frantic rally just to make the playoffs is now one win from the NBA Finals.

Gabe Vincent scored a career-high 29 points, Duncan Robinson added 22 and the eighth-seeded Heat rolled past the Celtics, 128-102, on Sunday night. Miami leads the best-of-seven series 3-0, with a chance to finish off a stunning sweep on Tuesday night at home in Game 4.

“That was a solid, mature, professional approach,” said Spoelstra, now on the brink of a sixth trip to the NBA Finals as Miami’s coach. “There’s a lot of pent-up stuff here and we’re getting closer, but we still have to finish this off.”

Caleb Martin scored 18, Jimmy Butler finished with 16, Bam Adebayo had 13 and Max Strus added 10 for Miami. Every team in NBA history that has won the first three games of a best-of-seven has ultimately prevailed; the Heat are 8-0 in that situation.

“The rim was as big as the ocean for everybody,” Adebayo said after Miami shot 57%.

Jayson Tatum scored 14 and Jaylen Brown added 12 for the second-seeded Celtics, who won three times on Miami’s floor on the way to winning last season’s East finals – but simply never had a chance in this one and basically emptied the bench for the fourth quarter.

“I just didn’t have them ready to play,” said Boston coach Joe Mazzulla, who has been the subject of tons of criticism in this series – and will surely face more going into Tuesday. “Whatever it was, whether it was the starting lineup or an adjustment, I have to get them in a better place, ready to play. That’s on me.”

Grant Williams and Payton Pritchard each added 12 for Boston.

“To their credit, they’re playing well above their means,” Brown said. “They’re ballin’ right now and I’ve got to give them respect. Gabe Vincent, Martin, Strus, Duncan Robinson, guys that we should be able to keep under control are playing their (butt) off.”

The NBA Finals start June 1, and the way things are going, that might mean the league is about to go a few days without games. The Western Conference finals could end Monday; Denver leads that series against the Los Angeles Lakers 3-0. And now, the East finals could end Tuesday.

“It’s the first to four games,” Vincent said. “We’re not satisfied with three.”

There’s never been a season where both conference finals ended in sweeps; it happened in 1957 in the division finals immediately preceding the title series, when Boston beat Syracuse 3-0 and St. Louis beat Minneapolis 3-0.

Of all the 3-0 series leads in NBA history, this one might be the most unexpected – a No. 8 seed in the Heat, a team that struggled just to get into the playoffs, a team that was less than 3 minutes away from being eliminated in the play-in tournament, getting past top-seeded Milwaukee in five games, then fifth-seeded New York in six, and now on the brink of denying the Celtics a second consecutive East crown.

And the Heat let Boston know how much they were enjoying this one.

Mindful that Boston’s Al Horford directed a timeout signal toward the Miami bench during Game 1 when the Celtics were on a second-quarter spurt to build a comfortable lead, Butler did the same to Horford as the Heat were running away in the third quarter of Game 3.

Besides, the Heat rallied to win Game 1 anyway. There was no rally required in Game 3 by the Heat. There was barely one attempted by the Celtics, for that matter.

“I don’t even know where to start,” Brown said. “It’s an obvious letdown. I feel like we let our fan base, organization down. We let ourselves down. And it was collective. We can point fingers, but in reality, it was just embarrassing.”

Boston got within 61-49 when Marcus Smart had a three-point play on the opening possession of the second half. The rest was all Miami, which immediately answered with a 28-7 run to open a 33-point lead at 89-56, which had the building rolling. The lead was so big, and there was so much time left, that the sellout crowd of 20,088 actually was subdued a bit by the time it was over.

They might have been yelled-out. Or maybe they were saving it for hockey on Monday night, when the Florida Panthers — another No. 8 seed on a magical playoff run in South Florida – will try to take a 3-0 lead in their East finals series against the Carolina Hurricanes.

“We’ll decompress tomorrow,” Spoelstra said, “but we’ll really get our minds right to finish this thing off.”

TIP-INS

Celtics: Robert Williams made his first shot, meaning he made 12 straight to start the series. He missed his second attempt. … The Heat encourage fans to wear white to playoff games, and Tatum also arrived in an all-white suit.

Heat: Robinson made five 3-pointers and now has 124 in his Heat postseason career, passing LeBron James (123) for the most in Miami history. … Butler’s steal with 7:17 left in the first quarter was the 2,000th in Heat postseason history. … Vincent’s previous career best was 28, set in a Jan. 12 win over Milwaukee.

LOVE HURT

Miami’s Kevin Love checked out 4:47 into the game after what the Heat said was an undisclosed ankle injury. He went to the Heat locker room for evaluation, returned to the bench area later in the first half, but did not return to the game.

QUOTABLE

“The lack of mental toughness. It’s embarrassing … that was an embarrassment for the Celtics.” – TNT’s Charles Barkley at halftime, with Boston trailing 61-46 and after being down by as many as 22 points.

But returning for a second time will be “a little bit different” than last year’s emotional weekend, which saw Freeman break down during a press conference and repeatedly shed tears on the field as he received his 2021 World Series ring and multiple ovations from Braves fans at Truist Park.

“Last year there were a lot of things going on and obviously I was really looking forward to getting my World Series ring and stuff like that,” Freeman said over the weekend with the Dodgers heading back to Atlanta for a three-game series beginning Monday. “It’s a special place, a lot of special memories.

“I got through it. We all got through it. We had a good year.  I don’t think there’s going to be any crying this time around. Well, you never know. If something happens again, I can’t say that.”

At the tear-filled press conference before his first game as a visitor in Atlanta last year, Freeman was asked if he was “looking for closure” for that chapter of his life.

“There’s nothing to close for me here. Why would I close such a special time?” he said. “There’s nothing to close.”

By the time the three-game series was over and Freeman was on the Dodgers’ overnight flight to their next series in Colorado, he realized he was wrong.

“I wasn’t looking for closure. I definitely got it when I played those three games there,” he said now. “You never know what you need until you go through stuff. I think I just needed to go through the process of going there, playing there and leaving there.”

Freeman’s three-day emotional catharsis landed differently with some of his teammates. Clayton Kershaw was quoted by an Atlanta reporter, delivering an off-the-cuff comment that he hoped Freeman didn’t see the Dodgers’ organization as playing “second fiddle.”

The two talked about the remark. But even before that, Freeman sent a text in the team’s group chat thanking his teammates for “bearing with me” and apologizing for taking so long to get over the abrupt end to his 15 years in the Braves’ organization.

“Unless you’ve gone through it and done it … you’ve got to let the person go through it,” Freeman said. “When I said, ‘I’m sorry it took me three months.’ Andrew (Friedman) was, ‘Three months? I didn’t think it would happen that fast.’

“Every person’s different. There’s no playbook for anything. That’s how I felt. I did the best I could to come out here every day and play hard while I was going through that.”

Anticipation for this return to Atlanta has been building – in the Freeman family. His wife, Chelsea, and their three sons traveled to Atlanta while the Dodgers were playing in St. Louis. Freeman’s father (who missed last year’s visit) and “a lot of family” will also be in Atlanta.

The Freemans still have the house they had custom built in Atlanta and spent several weeks there during the offseason.  Now Freeman will be able to spend time with another loved one there.

“I’m looking forward to sleeping in my bed,” he said. “I love that bed.”

Just because no team in NBA history has rallied to win a playoff series when trailing 3-0 doesn’t mean it can’t be done, according to Lakers coach Darvin Ham.

“Hell, yeah, we’ve got an opportunity, man,” he said. “Everybody’s counting us out. It’s crazy. It’s no different than what we’ve been through all year. Just the uphill battle and trying to solidify ourselves and re-establish what this culture is all about, the Lakers organization. I think we’ve done that and we have another opportunity to take another step in the right direction come (Monday).”

Ham bristled when asked why no team in the league has overcome a 3-0 deficit.

“I don’t know,” he said after the team held a film-study session Sunday. “You have to ask them (other teams). I don’t know, I don’t know. You have to ask them. The only thing I know is we’re coming out to win a game on Monday.”

The Lakers need only look up from their bench at Crypto.com Arena to bear witness to a team that has rallied from a 3-0 series deficit to win. That team would be the 2014 Stanley Cup champion Kings, whose banner hangs from the rafters thanks, in part, to storming back to beat the San Jose Sharks in the first round.

In fact, the Kings are one of four NHL teams to do it, joining the Philadelphia Flyers in 2010, the New York Islanders in 1975 and the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1942. One Major League Baseball team has done it, the Boston Red Sox in 2004. Only three NBA teams have even rallied to force a Game 7.

The Lakers have trailed 3-0 in a series eight times in their glorious history before these playoffs, and they’ve been swept eight times. Will the ninth time produce a different result? You’d have a difficult time persuading the Lakers that their season will come to an end at the hands of the Denver Nuggets in Game 4 on Monday.

Game 5, if necessary, will be played Wednesday in Denver.

“Obviously, you see the numbers and, like you said, it’s never been done,” Lakers guard Austin Reaves said in response to a reporter’s question about the NBA’s lack of a team to rally from 3-0 in a series. “You think about it as just winning four games in a row, I’m sure there’s a lot of guys in this gym that have won four games in a row. Maybe not against the same team, over and over again, but if we put our best foot forward every day, every game, you know, we’ll have a chance.”

So, what has to change for the Lakers to pull off the unthinkable?

For starters, forget about adjustments or tweaks to the starting lineup.

“Sometimes the greatest adjustment is just to play better,” Ham said. “To play harder. Play better. As simple as it sounds, sometimes that’s the most key adjustment. It’s funny because it’s almost become a cliche. ‘Adjustments, adjustments, adjustments.’ Sometimes you go in there, you take a long, hard look at the film and you try to do what you’ve been doing better.

“There’s a difference between strategy and execution. Sometimes you can have the right strategy and you’re outplayed by your opponent. So, you have to navigate through all that and recognize and pinpoint what exactly is causing us to fall short and once you do that, you give it to the team in a simple form and you go out and try to execute it.”

It doesn’t take a basketball savant to recognize the Nuggets’ superiority in the fourth quarters of the games so far, with center Nikola Jokic and guard Jamal Murray taking command when it matters most. They sparked a game-changing, 13-0 run in the fourth quarter of Game 3, for instance.

What’s more, Denver’s top players have outplayed their Lakers counterparts, LeBron James and Anthony Davis. James tweaked his ankle near the end of Game 2 and didn’t play with his usual explosiveness in Game 3. Davis has shouldered a heavy burden during the playoffs, and well before them, too.

Do the Lakers have anything left in the tank for Game 4?

“We’re alive, man,” Ham said of the challenge ahead of the Lakers. “The series is not over. People want to throw out the odds. Yeah, don’t get me wrong, we’re facing a hell of a ballclub, one talented bunch that’s very well-coached. But we have things that we can do, as well. The only thing we have to do is just focus on one game. We don’t have to be overwhelmed about the outside noise or the overall series. We just have to worry about one game. What’s exactly in front of us.”

NUGGETS AT LAKERS

What: Western Conference finals, Game 4

When: Monday, 5:30 p.m.

Where: Crypto.com Arena

TV/radio: ESPN, 710 AM

PITTSFORD, N.Y. — Confidence was never an issue for Brooks Koepka until the injuries piled up, the doubts crept in and he began to wonder if he still belonged among golf’s elite.

Koepka answered every question at the PGA Championship with a performance that ranks among his best. His fifth major title was the sweetest of them all. No doubt about that, either.

“It feels damned good. Yeah, this one is definitely special,” Koepka said. “I think this one is probably the most meaningful of them all with everything that’s gone on, all the crazy stuff over the last few years.”

One knee injury kept him from the Masters, another from the Presidents Cup in Australia. Two years ago, he tried to pop his knee back into place and shattered his kneecap. And then last summer, uncertain about his future, he decided to leave the PGA Tour for the guaranteed Saudi riches of LIV Golf, bringing a mixture of criticism and skepticism.

And there he was Sunday at Oak Hill, looking good as new, dominant as ever, against the best collection of golfers in the world on a punishing golf course.

Koepka ran off three quick birdies early, never lost the lead amid a gritty fight from Viktor Hovland, and closed with a 3-under 67 for a two-shot victory.

He held up his index finger as he posed next to the Wanamaker Trophy, but he may as well have held up all five.

With three PGAs and two U.S. Opens, he became the 20th player with five or more majors. He won his third Wanamaker Trophy – only Jack Nicklaus and Walter Hagen with five and Tiger Woods with four have won the PGA Championship more times – and captured his first major in what felt like four years.

And to think that over the last few years, Koepka was so wounded he felt he couldn’t compete, a decision that might have led to him leaving the PGA Tour for Saudi-funded LIV Golf in a shocking move last June after the U.S. Open.

In the Netflix series “Full Swing” that began airing earlier this year, he was quoted as saying his confidence had given way to doubt. “I’m going to be honest with you, I can’t compete with these guys week in and week out.”

Give him good health and a clear head, and good luck taking down Koepka in the majors. He now has won five of his last 22 majors, a rate exceeded only by Woods, Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Nick Faldo and Ben Hogan in the last 75 years.

He is the first player from LIV Golf to win a major, and it hits back at the notion that 54-hole events and guaranteed money would take the edge off the rival league’s best players.

“I definitely think it helps LIV, but I’m more interested in my own self right now, to be honest with you,” Koepka said. “Yeah, it’s a huge thing for LIV, but at the same time I’m out here competing as an individual at the PGA Championship. I’m just happy to take this home for the third time.”

Koepka is in pretty heady company just about everywhere he looks. His five majors are as many as Seve Ballesteros and Byron Nelson. Among active players, only Woods (15) and Phil Mickelson (6) have more.

“I’m not even sure I dream of it as a kid, that I’d win that many,” he said.

Koepka left little doubt about his place in the game with his two-shot win over hard-luck Hovland (68) and Scottie Scheffler, who closed with a 65 and returned to No. 1 in the world.

“To look back to where we were two years ago, I’m so happy right now,” Koepka said. “This is just the coolest thing.”

The victory moves Koepka to No. 13 in the world and No. 2 in the Ryder Cup standings. The top six automatically qualify, and it would be hard to fathom leaving Koepka off the American team. He can only earn points in the majors, and two more are still to come.

Koepka had to share the loudest cheers with Mission Viejo club pro Michael Block, who put on an amazing show over four days. Block made a hole-in-one on the 15th hole while playing with Rory McIlroy, and then made two tough par putts at the end for a 1-over 71.

He tied for 15th, giving him a return date to the PGA Championship next year at Valhalla. It was the best finish by a club pro since Lonnie Nielsen tied for 11 in 1986 at Inverness.

“The most surreal moment I’ve ever had in my life,” Block said. “I’m living a dream and making sure I’m enjoying the moment. Not getting any better than this – no way in hell.”

Block charges $125 a lesson at Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club. He earned just short of $290,000 at Oak Hill.

A month ago at the Masters, Koepka lost a two-shot lead in the final round by playing tentatively and was overrun by Jon Rahm. He vowed he would not do that again, and Koepka delivered in a major way, just like he used to.

Hovland made it easy for him at the end. Koepka was one shot ahead on the 16th hole when Hovland hit his 9-iron from a bunker that plugged into the lip in front of him – the same shot that stopped Corey Conners on Saturday – and made a double bogey.

Koepka gouged out a shot from the rough to 5 feet for birdie and suddenly was leading by four shots when Hovland made a double bogey.

Scheffler started four shots behind and never got closer than two. His 65 matched the best score of the tournament, posted by four other players on a day that was set up for scoring.

“I gave the guys on top of the leaderboard something to think about, and I kind of made a little bit much a move, but Brooks just played some fantastic golf this week,” Scheffler said. “He played too good this weekend for me to catch up to him.”

Koepka was determined to restore his reputation as a major force, and he wasted no time. He stuffed a wedge to 4 feet on the second and third holes and rolled in an 8-foot birdie down the hill on the par-5 fourth.

But he drove into the water on the sixth hole and did well to make bogey, and another bogey from the rough on the seventh trimmed his lead to Hovland to one shot.

It was tight the rest of the way until the 16th. Hovland hit 9-iron from the bunker and could hear the awful thud of it rocketing into the turf at the edge of the sand. He knew immediately what happened and covered his mouth with a closed fist. After a drop into nasty rough, it took two more to get to the green and led to a double bogey.

“Brooks is a great player, and now he has five majors. I mean, that’s a hell of a record right there. It’s not easy going toe-to-toe with a guy like that,” Hovland said. “He is not going to give you anything, and I didn’t really feel like I gave him anything either until 16.”

Bryson DeChambeau, who began the PGA with a 66, made too many mistakes in his round of 70. He stuck around to clasp hands with Koepka, two players from LIV Golf who used to get under each other’s skin.

LIV had three players in the top 10 for the second straight major.

Koepka, who finished at 9-under 271, received $3.15 million and the heaviest trophy among the four majors. Nothing felt more valuable than that.

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  Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani acknowledges the first base umpire after he was intentionally walked during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins Sunday, May 21, 2023, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani runs to first after hitting into a fielder’s choice during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins Sunday, May 21, 2023, in Anaheim, Calif. Mickey Moniak was thrown out at first on the play and Ohtani was safe at first. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  Los Angeles Angels’ Matt Thaiss, left, and Zach Neto congratulate each other after they scored on a double by Mickey Moniak during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins Sunday, May 21, 2023, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Carlos Estevez celebrates after the Angels defeated the Minnesota Twins 4-2 in a baseball game Sunday, May 21, 2023, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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  Starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels leads off first base after being intentionally walked in the fifth inning against Minnesota Twins at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on May 21, 2023 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

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  Mickey Moniak of the Los Angeles Angels celebrate after hitting a two-run double to score teammates Zach Neto and Matt Thaiss during the seventh inning against the Minnesota Twins at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on May 21, 2023 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

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  Matt Thaiss of the Los Angeles Angels celebrates in the dugout after scoring on a double off the bat of Mickey Moniak in the seventh inning against the Minnesota Twins at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on May 21, 2023 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

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  Zach Neto of the Los Angeles Angels steals second base ahead of the tag by Donovan Solano of the Minnesota Twins in the fifth inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on May 21, 2023 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

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  Zach Neto of the Los Angeles Angels celebrates scoring on a double off the bat of Mickey Moniak in the seventh inning against the Minnesota Twins at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on May 21, 2023 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

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  Starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels points to third baseman Gio Urshela after he turns a double play against the Minnesota Twins during the fifth inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on May 21, 2023 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

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  Starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels leads off first base after being intentionally walked in the fifth inning against Minnesota Twins at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on May 21, 2023 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

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  Gio Urshela of the Los Angeles Angels talks with third base umpire umpire Roberto Ortiz during the seventh inning against the Minnesota Twins at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on May 21, 2023 in Anaheim, California. Major League Baseball honored military service men and women in commemoration of Armed Forces Day by wearing camouflage items during games. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

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  Starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels shows his glove to third base umpire Roberto Ortiz as he walk off the mound against Minnesota Twins during the fifth inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on May 21, 2023 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

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  Relief pitcher Carlos Estevez of the Los Angeles Angels celebrates with starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels after they defeated the Minnesota Twins, 4-2, at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on May 21, 2023 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

ANAHEIM ― In eight games since making his 2023 debut, Mickey Moniak has displaced Taylor Ward as the Angels’ leadoff hitter against right-handed pitchers, catalyzed the decision to designate outfielder Brett Phillips for assignment, and maintained a ridiculous .417 batting average.

Until this weekend’s series against the Minnesota Twins, however, he had not produced a big hit at a critical juncture in a game.

Now he has two.

Moniak’s two-run double in the seventh inning of a tie game lifted the Angels to an eventual 4-2 victory before an announced crowd of 42,138 at Angel Stadium. His fourth and fifth RBIs of the season allowed the Angels (25-23) to take two of three games from the American League Central-leading Twins (25-22).

“I don’t think my goal coming into every game is to get four hits, all the personal stuff,” Moniak said. “My goal is to do something to help the team win. To be able to do that today and Friday was huge, especially to do it in front of the Angels fans. It’s been fun.”

Moniak hit a game-tying RBI triple in the seventh inning of Friday’s victory.

After starting pitchers Shohei Ohtani and Pablo Lopez dueled to a 1-1 tie through six innings, the Twins brought in reliever Jorge Lopez, who promptly walked Matt Thaiss. The next batter, Zach Neto, shot a double into right field, sending Thaiss to third base.

That brought up Moniak, a left-handed hitter. After watching two straight curveballs that were called balls, Moniak clobbered a fastball over the plate into the right-center field gap. Thaiss and Neto both scored, and the Angels had a 3-1 advantage.

A home run by Alex Kiriloff in the eighth inning against Matt Moore brought the Twins within 3-2. Moniak nearly caught the ball on the run, but could not squeeze the ball in his glove as he collided with the short fence in left field.

The Angels got the run back in the bottom of the inning anyway.

Gio Urshela singled, stole second base, and advanced to third when catcher Ryan Jeffers’ throw to second was off-line and skipped into center field. Thaiss then hit a line drive into the left-field corner that allowed Urshela to score easily, giving the Angels a 4-2 lead.

Nine different players had one hit each for the Angels.

Ohtani was impressive in his sixth start of the season, allowing just two hits and one run over six innings. But he was forced to settle for a no-decision because Lopez was every bit his equal.

Ohtani only fell behind 2-and-0 once, when he ultimately walked Joey Gallo in the third inning. The next batter, Carlos Correa, drove in Gallo with a double, giving Minnesota an early 1-0 lead.

“I tried to throw the last pitch out of the zone but it stayed in the zone,” Ohtani said through his interpreter. “Correa’s good. He’s a smart, good hitter. He made his adjustments.”

Other than that one blemish, Ohtani was splendid. He had no trouble inducing swings and misses; his 22 (on 99 total pitches) were a season high. At the plate, Ohtani went 1 for 3 with a single and drew the only intentional walk of the game.

Ohtani is 5-1 with a 3.05 ERA this season. In his four no-decisions, he has a 2.84 ERA with 35 strikeouts and only eight hits allowed across 19 innings.

The Angels’ only run against Lopez came in the fourth inning. Hunter Renfroe and Jared Walsh led off with back-to-back singles. For Walsh, it was his first hit of the season since returning from therapy to relieve headaches and insomnia Saturday.

A sacrifice fly by the next batter, Urshela, drove in Renfroe to tie the game 1-1.

Reyes Moronta was the first pitcher out of the bullpen, but he bequeathed a bases-loaded, two-out jam to Chris Devenski.

Devenski (2-0) then struck out Gallo, the only batter he faced, to end the inning.

“I was definitely going for the punchout there,” Devenski said.

Carlos Estevez pitched a scoreless ninth inning to record his 12th save, a new career high.

PITTSFORD, N.Y. — Michael Block recalled how only a week ago he was having drinks at the Pittsford Pub – a few par-5s away from where the PGA Championship was being held at Oak Hill in suburban Rochester, New York – and no one knew who he was.

On Sunday, the once little-known golf pro from Southern California is heading back to the bar for a few – maybe more – celebratory drinks with his friends and family knowing his days of living in anonymity might be over for the near future.

Finishing in the top 15 at a major and making an ace during the final round with the entire sport watching will do that.

“We’re going to have a crazy good time tonight, and I look forward to it,” Block said with a beaming smile on Sunday after he lived out every hacker’s dream.

Over a four-day stretch at the brutish East Course, the 46-year-old club pro at Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club in Mission Viejo held his own against the best in the world, became a gallery favorite, conducted national television interviews between shots, made a hole-in-one, and posted a 1-over 281 to finish in a tie for 15th, which qualifies him to compete in the major next year. In doing so, he’s earned a payday of close to $290,000, which is far more than the $75,000 check he received for winning the 2014 Club Professional National Championship at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

“My life’s changed. but my life’s only changed for the better,” Block said. “I’ve got my family. I’ve got my friends. I’ve got the people that really love me and care about me here. It’s been an epic experience.”

"I'm living a dream. I'm making sure that I enjoy this moment. I've learned that after my 46 years of life, it's not going to get better than this. There's no way."

Michael Block is cherishing every moment of a storybook PGA Championship. pic.twitter.com/dUxVD6jMmM

— Golf on CBS (@GolfonCBS) May 21, 2023

Oh, and to all those back at Arroyo Trabuco gearing up to party with him soon, you’ll have to wait. Shortly after walking off the 18th green following the trophy presentation he shared with tournament champion Brooks Koepka, Block received a phone call informing him he’s been invited to compete at the Colonial next week.

“I’m in next week as the last sponsor’s exemption, which is really even more mind-boggling now,” Block said. “This week’s been absolutely a dream. I didn’t know it was going to happen, but I knew if I just played my darned game, right, that I could do this. I always knew it.”

Though in Block’s dreams, he envisioned playing in the final group with Tiger Woods, he was more than happy to do so over a weekend in which he spent Saturday paired with Justin Rose and Sunday with Rory McIlroy.

What Block never could have imagined is having McIlroy, a four-time major champion, deliver the news of Block’s ace on the 151-yard, par-3 15th.

“So I hit it, and it’s just right at it, but I can’t see it, just like now, and all a sudden (the ball) disappears,” he said, comparing the bright lights in the interview room to the glare of the sun.

“Rory is walking down the pathway 20 yards away from me and turns around and starts walking back towards me with his arms open to give me a hug. And he goes, ‘You made it,’” he said. “I go, ‘What? Seriously?’ He had to tell me five times that I made it.”

Block added another clutch shot in his round. That came at the 18th. After hitting his approach into the deep rough on a downslope left of the green, Block faced a blind chip shot to the green that settled 8 feet from the hole.

The ensuing par putt secured Block a place among the top 15 and ties, guaranteeing him a slot in next year’s PGA Championship at Valhalla in Louisville, Kentucky.

Block’s finish was the best for a club pro at the PGA Championship since Lonnie Nielsen finished in a tie for 11th in 1986 at Inverness Club. Not bad for a player who had never made the cut in six previous tries at a major.

“It’s incredible. I literally have no words. All day I’m going ‘Wow. Wow. Wow.’ I’m losing my voice and my hands hurt from clapping so hard,” Val Block said of her husband’s remarkable week. “He has worked for so long for something like this and he just deserves this. … I’m extremely proud of him. I’m so excited. We’re dreaming. We’re just dreaming.”

A dream that came true with a little help from Val, who told her husband to stay loose and be his outgoing self.

“I always believed in his game. I loved his swing. He has it,” she said. “He doesn’t need to pretend to be someone that he’s not. And finally, finally, he came and that’s who he is.”

Michael Block’s common-man approach resonated across Oak Hill. He was just as capable of making a joke or referring to himself as “the new John Daly, but I don’t have a mullet,” as he was growing emotional and breaking down in tears.

Following a post-tournament television interview that included footage of a packed bar at his golf club holding a watch party, Block grew so emotional he slipped into an empty tent to catch his breath.

His eyes welled again midway through his news conference when he referred to the advice he received from his wife and the general manager at his club.

“They told me just to be me and not be a club pro, but be a tour pro, which I guess I proved this weekend with a 15th-place finish in a major that …” Block said before stopping in mid-sentence. “That makes me choke up even more thinking about it.”

In the meantime, Block embraced the idea of living out the dream of 29,000 PGA teaching professionals.

“I’m as normal as it gets; right? It’s a thing for me where I’m not trying to be an inspiration,” he said.

“I’m not trying to do anything, and that’s kind of the big deal is I’m not trying to be anybody outside of myself,” Block added. “Hopefully people gravitate toward it and appreciate it and be themselves and succeed in their goals as I have this week.”

MICHAEL BLOCK!

HOLE-IN-ONE! pic.twitter.com/AGckvo8F7B

— Golf on CBS (@GolfonCBS) May 21, 2023

• 

  Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw throws during the second inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals Sunday, May 21, 2023, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

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  Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals in the first inning at Busch Stadium on May 21, 2023 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

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  Freddie Freeman of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits an RBI single against the St. Louis Cardinals in the fifth inning at Busch Stadium on May 21, 2023 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

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  Phil Bickford of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals in the eighth inning at Busch Stadium on May 21, 2023 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

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  Oscar Mercado of the St. Louis Cardinals hits an RBI single against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the fourth inning at Busch Stadium on May 21, 2023 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

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  Paul DeJong of the St. Louis Cardinals rounds third base after hitting a three-run home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the seventh inning at Busch Stadium on May 21, 2023 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

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  Paul DeJong of the St. Louis Cardinals is congratulated by teammates after hitting a three-run home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the seventh inning at Busch Stadium on May 21, 2023 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

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  Paul DeJong of the St. Louis Cardinals celebrates after hitting an RBI single against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the fifth inning at Busch Stadium on May 21, 2023 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

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  Oscar Mercado of the St. Louis Cardinals is caught stealing second base by Miguel Rojas of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the fifth inning at Busch Stadium on May 21, 2023 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

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  Jason Heyward of the Los Angeles Dodgers scores a run against Willson Contreras of the St. Louis Cardinals in the fifth inning at Busch Stadium on May 21, 2023 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

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  St. Louis Cardinals’ Tommy Edman is tagged out by Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy during the second inning of a baseball game Sunday, May 21, 2023, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

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  St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Jack Flaherty throws during the third inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers Sunday, May 21, 2023, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

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  Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Miguel Rojas dives for a grounder by St. Louis Cardinals’ Paul DeJong during the second inning of a baseball game Sunday, May 21, 2023, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

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  Los Angeles Dodgers’ Jason Heyward (23) avoids the tag from St. Louis Cardinals catcher Willson Contreras, right, to score during the fifth inning of a baseball game Sunday, May 21, 2023, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

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  St. Louis Cardinals’ Paul DeJong is congratulated by teammate Nolan Arenado after hitting a three-run home run as Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith, right, stands by during the seventh inning of a baseball game Sunday, May 21, 2023, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

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  St. Louis Cardinals’ Paul DeJong watches his three-run home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers Sunday, May 21, 2023, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

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  Los Angeles Dodgers’ Chris Taylor singles during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals Sunday, May 21, 2023, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

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  Los Angeles Dodgers’ J.D. Martinez hits a sacrifice fly to score Freddie Freeman during the eighth inning of a baseball game Sunday, May 21, 2023, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

ST. LOUIS — The Dodgers have counted on Clayton Kershaw for so many things over his 16-year career – not the least of which was to never follow a poor outing with another one.

Over the course of his first 407 major league starts, Kershaw had failed to pitch beyond the fourth inning in consecutive starts only once. In August 2008 (three months into his MLB career), he went four innings in a loss to the Philadelphia Phillies then lasted just 2⅓ in a loss to the Washington Nationals five days later.

It has happened again.

Kershaw couldn’t get through the fourth inning Sunday against the St. Louis Cardinals, putting the Dodgers in an early hole on the way to a 10-5 defeat.

The loss was the Dodgers’ third in the four-game series, their first series loss since they dropped two out of three in Pittsburgh last month. The three-city road trip now continues with series against the Atlanta Braves and Tampa Bay Rays – the teams with the best records in the National and American leagues.

Those tests come at a time when the Dodgers’ pitching appears to be leaking oil and running on fumes. They gave up 32 runs and nine home runs to the Cardinals, even with a two-hit shutout in Friday’s game, and will turn to prospects Gavin Stone and Bobby Miller for back-to-back starts in Atlanta.

In his previous start on Tuesday against the Minnesota Twins, Kershaw was not sharp. He needed 90 pitches to get through four innings but did limit the damage, allowing just two runs despite seven hits and a walk.

“I just haven’t pitched very good,” he said. “It’s nothing specific. I just haven’t been pitching very well. Frustrating, not a great time with guys going down. Obviously, you’d like to get some length. It’s disappointing. You feel like you let the guys down, especially the bullpen. There’s really nothing to say except pitch better next time.”

There is more to say. Kershaw’s back-to-back short starts have followed his mother’s death. He will leave the Dodgers for a few days to attend a service for her and be placed on the bereavement list. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Kershaw is expected to rejoin the Dodgers in Tampa and make his next start on Saturday.

“I think he’s done as good a job as you can do of compartmentalizing and trying to keep it out of your mind,” Roberts said.

“There’s no one that works harder or prepares himself more. So he probably doesn’t want to admit it. But sometimes the emotional toll takes a toll on your body too. So I’m sure it plays some factor.”

Against the Cardinals, things began to get away from Kershaw in the third inning. He gave up a leadoff double to Nolan Arenado and a soft double to Tommy Edman, walked Brendan Donovan with two outs then gave up a two-run double to Oscar Mercado during a 33-pitch inning.

Kershaw retired the next six batters (three on strikeouts). But the second inning left a mark and Roberts pulled him in the fourth inning when Kerhaw ran into more two-out trouble with two walks wrapped around two singles including another two-out single by Mercado.

“I don’t really point to those at-bats (by Mercado). I point to the walks before with two outs. Those were the problems,” Kershaw said. “The stuff before that is what’s unacceptable – two-out walks, let an inning fester instead of being able to get three outs quickly.”

Roberts said Kershaw had mentioned “body fatigue” after his start against the Twins and there were signs of that again Sunday.

“We were hoping that was just a one-time deal, and you feel that he would come back and reset in this one,” Roberts said. “But it showed a lot of similarities to that last one, as far as fatigue.

“I know health-wise, he’s fine. But the fact of the matter is that the ball just wasn’t coming out like we’re used to, these last two. So we’ll see.”

Down 4-1, the Dodgers’ offense was in the position of having to make another comeback – and they weren’t really over the way their comeback attempt was cut short in the ninth inning Saturday night. Neither was the umpire at the center of that.

When Max Muncy was called out on strikes in the fourth inning, he objected to home plate umpire Nic Lentz’s strike zone. But Muncy gestured toward third base umpire Paul Emmel as he walked back to the dugout and was ejected.

“I think it was kind of a weekend-long frustration building up,” Muncy said. “For me, it wasn’t about the call. … To me, it was how the calls were happening. The pitch before was almost the exact same location. Whether it was a ball or a strike, I don’t care. He called it how he saw it. He called it a ball and for the catcher to sit there and tell him that’s a terrible call and he missed it and needs to be better and then the next one he gives it to him. That, to me, is where the frustration was coming from.

“I felt like that was happening all weekend long. I felt they were getting bullied and they gave in to it.”

Emmel was behind the plate Saturday night and made two bad strike calls in the ninth inning that effectively thwarted a Dodger comeback, leaving them with a one-run loss. He was the one who ejected Muncy, not Lentz.

“I wasn’t referencing last night. I was referencing the whole weekend,” Muncy said. “I was referring to all of them and he took it as I was talking about last night.

“When I went out there, before I had a chance to say anything, he (Emmel) said, ‘We’re not going to talk about last night.’ In a way, I was referring to last night but I was really referring to just the whole weekend and the fact that I felt they were giving calls that didn’t need to be called. That’s how it was.”

The Dodgers did make it a one-run game again – briefly – on Freddie Freeman’s RBI single and a bases-loaded balk in the fifth inning. But their beleaguered bullpen couldn’t hold the line. Justin Bruihl gave up a two-out, two-run single to Mercado in the bottom of the fifth, and Wander Suero served up a three-run home run to Paul DeJong in the seventh.

It would help if all three could stick around for a while.

Right-handers Jacob Webb and Reyes Moronta had their contracts purchased from Triple-A Salt Lake, and left-hander Aaron Loup was activated from the 10-day injured list. Three others – right-handers Jimmy Herget, Andrew Wantz and Zack Weiss – were optioned to Salt Lake.

Activating Loup gives the Angels three left-handers in their bullpen, along with Tucker Davidson and Matt Moore.

Webb, 29, spent spring training with the Angels as a non-roster invitee after signing a minor league contract in November. The Angels are his third team in the last year; he split 2022 with the Atlanta Braves and Arizona Diamondbacks, appearing in 34 Triple-A games.

The Riverside native was 1-3 with a 6.75 ERA in 16 games at Triple-A Salt Lake.

Moronta, 30, has pitched for six organizations in the last nine months.

“It’s not difficult,” Moronta said through an interpreter. “It’s the same baseball. The only thing that changes is the uniform.”

His odyssey began with the Dodgers, who designated him for assignment last August because he could not be optioned to the minor leagues. Moronta had a 4.18 ERA in 22 games with the Dodgers and was claimed by the Diamondbacks two days later.

Moronta appeared in another 17 games last year with the Diamondbacks, going 2-2 with a 4.50 ERA. He signed a minor league free agent contract with the Texas Rangers in January, but he was released in March. He then spent three weeks with the Diablos Rojos of the Mexican League before the Angels signed him to a minor league contract on May 11.

In 175 career games, all in relief, Moronta is 10-11 with a 3.02 ERA. He possesses a mid-90s fastball and a slider, and a changeup that he throws only to left-handed batters.

“He’s a hard worker,” said Manager Phil Nevin, who was the Giants’ third base coach in 2017 when Moronta was also in San Francisco. “Takes the ball any time. He’s the kind of guy who would bounce back real quick. He wants the ball all the time. He’s not afraid. He’s going to come right after you. Really good fastball. If you saw the video down in Salt Lake, he’s pitching the same way.”

For Wantz, it’s the third time he has been optioned to the minor leagues this season. Players can only be optioned five times in a single year, but Wantz has been on a perpetual shuttle to Salt Lake because he’s among few pitchers in the bullpen with minor-league options.

After allowing just one earned run in his first 10 appearances of the season, Wantz has now allowed seven runs, all earned, in his last four outings.

Their struggles have added to the growing difficulty the Angels have found getting the ball to Moore, their most reliable set-up man, and closer Carlos Estevez. Herget has a 4.38 ERA in 12 games. Weiss has allowed three hits and a run while recording only five outs.

“That’s where we’ve had some issues,” Nevin said. “The back end, obviously, has been very solid. We’re adding two guys who have pitched in the big leagues a lot.”

ROTATION SHUFFLE

Right-hander Chase Silseth will move back to the bullpen, Nevin said, after losing his only start of the season on Tuesday in Baltimore. Right-hander Jaime Barría will step into the rotation on Monday against the Boston Red Sox, with a chance to stay in the role for the remainder of the season.

Barría, who was primarily a starter from 2018-21, has thrived pitching out of the Angels’ bullpen the last two years. In that time he is 4-4 with a 2.46 ERA in 102 ⅓ innings across 45 games – all but one of which came in relief.

“Jaime’s throwing the heck out of it,” Nevin said. “He’s started before. We like what his fastball’s been doing lately. I’m going to send him out there and let him go as long as he can.”

Nevin also felt Barría was better suited to pitching with extra days off between appearances than Silseth, whose fastball averaged more than 96 mph in his first two relief outings this season, but was 2 mph slower in his lone start.

“When I told (Barría) he had a big smile on his face,” Nevin said. “He’s ready to go. Silseth was the same way. He enjoyed coming out of the ’pen. I used him in some high-leverage spots as soon as I got him and I’ll continue to do that.”

UP NEXT

Boston Red Sox (RHP Tanner Houck, 3-3, 5.48 ERA) at Angels (RHP Jaime Barría, 1-1, 1.96 ERA), Monday, 6:38 p.m., Bally Sports West, 830 AM

Heading into this season, the Dodgers expected their two top pitching prospects, Gavin Stone and Bobby Miller, to make their major league debuts at some point and impact the starting rotation to some degree. Injuries to Dustin May and Julio Urias in the past week – and Ryan Pepiot and Michael Grove earlier this year – have determined that timetable.

Stone and Miller will start back-to-back games for the Dodgers in Atlanta on Monday and Tuesday. For Stone, it will be his second MLB start. Miller will make his MLB debut.

“It’s not what we expected. But that doesn’t really matter,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of turning to the two prospects so early in the season. “So I think the only way to look at it is we’ve got to embrace this opportunity for these guys, and it’s up to all of us to make them comfortable and able to perform at a high level, because it shouldn’t be on … (them) to carry the brunt of it. It’s not.”

While May is expected to miss at least a month with his elbow injury, Urias will be eligible to return from the injured list on June 3. Roberts said his hamstring injury is not considered to be serious enough to sideline him beyond that.

Meanwhile, Michael Grove began a minor league injury rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday. He is expected to make at least two starts before he would also become an option to join the Dodgers’ rotation.

That leaves a “floor of three starts” for Stone, Roberts said. He would not comment on Miller joining the rotation.

Inserted into the rotation so the Dodgers could skip Noah Syndergaard for a turn, Stone made his debut on May 3 and allowed five runs (four earned) on eight hits in four innings against the Phillies. Roberts said he expects Stone to be better the second time around.

“I think the unfamiliarity, the novelty of it – we’ve already done that,” Roberts said. “Also, I think he’s throwing the baseball better in general. The fastball command is better. The changeup is better. I just think that the second time around he’ll be a lot more comfortable than he was the first time.”

In two starts since returning to OKC, Stone has pitched well, allowing only three earned runs on seven hits while striking out 14 in 11 innings.

Miller had a late start to his season because of shoulder soreness. The Dodgers’ first-round draft pick in 2020 has made four starts and pitched just 14⅓ innings since joining OKC, with a 5.65 ERA. In his most recent start Wednesday, however, the hard-throwing right-hander went six innings, allowing one run on two hits while striking out six.

“The first thing is command,” Roberts said of Miller’s main challenge. “When you’ve got a big fastball, you can bully guys and overpower guys. And as you get higher up (in the organization), you can’t do that. Guys can spoil pitches. They can hit the fastball. So I think it’s two-part – it’s commanding the fastball and also being able to understand when and how to use his breaking stuff. Because skill-set-wise, there’s a lot of talent.”

In the Braves, Stone and Miller will be facing one of the better offenses in the majors (second to the Dodgers in the National League in runs scored and tied with the Dodgers for second in MLB in home runs going into Sunday’s games).

“I don’t want to parallel it to having kids, but you just never know when you’re really ready, right? Until you know,” Roberts said. “The skill set is there.

“There’s really no perfect landing spot. I just think when the situation presents itself, you’ve got to evaluate what are the options, internally or externally, and figure out what’s best.”

UP NEXT

Dodgers (RHP Gavin Stone, 0-0, 9.00 ERA) at Braves (RHP Charlie Morton, 5-3, 2.85 ERA), Monday, 4:20 p.m., SportsNet LA, 570 AM

• 

  Devin Haney, right, fights Vasiliy Lomachenko in an undisputed lightweight championship boxing match Saturday, May 20, 2023, in Las Vegas. Haney won by unanimous decision. (AP Photo/John Locher)

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  Vasiliy Lomachenko holds up his Ukrainian flag after an undisputed lightweight championship boxing match against Devin Haney Saturday, May 20, 2023, in Las Vegas. Haney won by unanimous decision. (AP Photo/John Locher)

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  Devin Haney celebrates after defeating Vasiliy Lomachenko in an undisputed lightweight championship boxing match Saturday, May 20, 2023, in Las Vegas. Haney won by unanimous decision. (AP Photo/John Locher)

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  Devin Haney celebrates after defeating Vasiliy Lomachenko in an undisputed lightweight championship boxing match Saturday, May 20, 2023, in Las Vegas. Haney won by unanimous decision. (AP Photo/John Locher)

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  Devin Haney, left, fights Vasiliy Lomachenko in an undisputed lightweight championship boxing match Saturday, May 20, 2023, in Las Vegas. Haney won by unanimous decision. (AP Photo/John Locher)

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  Devin Haney slips as he fights Vasiliy Lomachenko in an undisputed lightweight championship boxing match Saturday, May 20, 2023, in Las Vegas. Haney won by unanimous decision. (AP Photo/John Locher)

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  Devin Haney, left, fights Vasiliy Lomachenko in an undisputed lightweight championship boxing match Saturday, May 20, 2023, in Las Vegas. Haney won by unanimous decision. (AP Photo/John Locher)

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  Devin Haney, right, fights Vasiliy Lomachenko in an undisputed lightweight championship boxing match Saturday, May 20, 2023, in Las Vegas. Haney won by unanimous decision. (AP Photo/John Locher)

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  Devin Haney, left, fights Vasiliy Lomachenko in an undisputed lightweight championship boxing match Saturday, May 20, 2023, in Las Vegas. Haney won by unanimous decision. (AP Photo/John Locher)

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  Devin Haney, right, fights Vasiliy Lomachenko in an undisputed lightweight championship boxing match Saturday, May 20, 2023, in Las Vegas. Haney won by unanimous decision. (AP Photo/John Locher)

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  Devin Haney, left, fights Vasiliy Lomachenko in an undisputed lightweight championship boxing match Saturday, May 20, 2023, in Las Vegas. Haney won by unanimous decision. (AP Photo/John Locher)

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  Vasiliy Lomachenko reacts during his fight against Devin Haney in an undisputed lightweight championship boxing match Saturday, May 20, 2023, in Las Vegas. Haney won by unanimous decision. (AP Photo/John Locher)

By W.G. RAMIREZ The Associated Press

LAS VEGAS — Undisputed lightweight champion Devin Haney retained his titles Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden, but not without a controversial decision that former three-division champion Vasiliy Lomachenko’s camp plans on appealing.

Lomachenko dominated the latter rounds and outpunched Haney, 124-110.

But much to the dismay of the 14,436 fans in attendance, all three judges had Haney winning. Tim Cheatham and David Sutherland scored the fight 115-113, while Dave Moretti had it 116-112.

Lomachenko’s manager said they plan to appeal the decision.

“The biggest robbery in the daylight. Haney’s team got Christmas in the Summer,” Egis Klimas said. “We’re going to appeal this decision. Those judges, they do not understand how the boxers are working hard. I guarantee we’re not going to let that go. We want to show there has to be justice.”

Haney improved to 30-0. Lomachenko, 35, dropped to 17-3.

Both fighters showed aggressiveness through the first half of the fight, Haney using his length and strength by working off his back foot, while Lomachenko continued to pepper the champion with a jackhammer left hand to the head.

But as the fight wore on, it was the elder statesman punishing 24-year-old Haney, stunning him with combinations, including a powerful ninth round, when the champion started showing his fatigue.

All three judges scored a relatively close 12th round that could have gone either way in favor of Haney, 10-9. A decision the other way would have made the fight a draw on two judges’ scorecards.

Moretti was opposite his colleagues twice in the latter rounds, giving Haney the eighth and 10th rounds, despite Lomachenko landing several headshots in the eighth, and delivering his most lethal blow in the 10th.

“I think I showed that I can still be in boxing, I’m in good shape now,” Lomachenko said. “I win this fight. Twelve rounds end, I was sure I won this fight. I feel I controlled this fight.”

Haney was nothing short of complimentary of his challenger.

“Lomachenko is a future Hall of Famer,” Haney said. “It was a blessing. He was my toughest opponent. He was very crafty. He turns it up in the championship rounds. (This fight) put me in the history books forever.”

Now Haney has a decision to make, as he will be a free agent when he wakes up Sunday morning, as his three-fight deal with Top Rank and Lou DiBella is now expired.

Haney certainly has plenty of options, as he could stay at 135 pounds for one final fight, where a highly anticipated match awaits against fellow pound-for-pound contender Shakur Stevenson, who was in attendance Saturday.

Stevenson disagreed with the result.

“Lomachenko should be undisputed champion — he won that fight,” Stevenson said.

But if Haney is ready to step in the ring with another undefeated fighter, Stevenson said, “Let’s make it happen. I can’t wait.”

Haney could also move to junior welterweight, where he would pursue a second-division title while positioning himself to meet the winner of the June 10 fight between Josh Taylor and Teofimo Lopez Jr.

The wild-card bout out there would be against Gervonta Davis, who looked impressive in his win over Ryan Garcia on April 22.

“Me and my team are going to go back to the house, watch the fight and reflect on it,” said Haney, who added it’s always been tough for him to make weight at 135. “I’ve been at 135 for a long, long time. This is my 30th fight. I’ve been here at 135 since I was 16 years old. We’re going to go back to the lab and figure out what’s next.”

On the undercard:

Oscar Valdez manhandled Adam Lopez in the final preliminary bout, including a dominating 10th round. Valdez (31-1, 23 KOs) beat Lopez (16-5) by unanimous decision.

Raymond Muratalla pummeled Jeremia Nakathila early and the fight was stopped at the 2:48 mark of the second round. Muratella improved to 18-0 and 15 KOs. Nakathila dropped to 23-3

Junto Nakatani improved to 25-0 with his 19th KO, droppin Andrew Moloney with a devastating left to the face in the 12th round. Moloney, who fell to 25-3, was taken to University Medical Center for evaluation.

Nico Ali Walsh (8-0-1) and Danny Rosenberger (13-9-5) fought to a draw, each scoring 77-75 on two of the judges’ cards, while the third finished at 76-all.