(CNN) When Tiger Woods won the first of his 15 majors at the 1997 Masters, Brooks Koepka was barely out of kindergarten.

Later this week, however, the pair will collide as arguably the hottest two players in golf when the US PGA Championship tees off at Bethpage Black on Long Island.

Woods, 43, won the US Open at the same New York venue 17 years ago but returns as the Masters champion after a remarkable win at Augusta in April.

The big-hitting Koepka, 29, is a triple major champion in his own right having won three of the last eight majors, including last year's US PGA, when he fought off a resurgent Woods to secure a two-shot triumph at Bellerive.

That he finished tied for second at Augusta last month merely reinforces his status as a man at the top of his game. For Koepka, a charging Tiger holds no fear.

"I'm not afraid of anybody," he told CNN Sport. "There's no reason to be afraid of anybody. We just know now that he's more than likely going to be there come Sunday."

Koepka's recent run is a phenomenal feat that separates him from his equally illustrious peers; Jordan Spieth's trio of major titles came in an 11-tournament period, while there were 15 majors between Rory McIlroy's first and fourth wins.

Now, though, there is an added complication for the game's Generation Z to consider; during his absence, many admitted that they would have loved to have witnessed -- and gone up against -- Woods in his prime. At the Masters, they were treated to a blast from the past.

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'Good for the game'

But as the defending US PGA champion, Koepka is happy to be the hunted, rather than the hunter.

"I love it," says world No. 3 Koepka, a straight-talker, whose bulging biceps are the hallmark of the modern golfer.

"I think it is an honor to have that extra little status of defending champ. It is what you gear your whole year around and that is something I enjoy. I enjoy the added pressure. I enjoy everything that comes along with it and I try to focus in on it and making the best of those weeks."

Koepka co-led the Masters through the first two rounds and was right in contention on the back nine on Sunday until his charge faltered as one of several players to find the water of Rae's Creek on the short 12th.

At the end of it all, one shot was the difference. Woods clinched his first major for 11 years and was mobbed by an adoring Augusta crowd, and greeted by colleagues and rivals as he approached the clubhouse.

High-fives, backslaps, ceaseless whooping -- the respect and shared joy was plain to see. Then Koepka tapped him on the shoulder for a bear hug between recent friends.

"I've seen him when he was not able to play golf and not sure whether he was going to be able to get back to playing golf," he reflects of their embrace.

"It has been interesting, it has been a fun journey to watch. Everybody wants him out there again. He's back healthy and it has been fun building a friendship over the last couple of years.

"It is just good for the game. I think it's good for the fans, the sponsors, the events. It's good for the tour, it's good for the players, it's good for everybody that he's winning. As players, we all knew that he was back a long time ago."

Koepka and Woods have become friends in recent times as the 15-time major winner has battled back from a stream of injuries and personal issues.

Winning mentality

Koepka was speaking after taking part in a trick-shot challenge with US beer brand Michelob ULTRA. By landing an approach on a floating green on the Hudson River, he won a free drink for all the people of New York City. "I'm a popular man right now," he laughs.

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Pressure situations such as these are where he thrives.

"Every time I tee up, I'm trying to win," adds Koepka, who has finished in the top 20 in all but three of his major appearances since 2015.

"I've done a good job of it in the majors in the last few years in terms of understanding what I do really well.

"Big-time players are going to show up in the majors and that's where you want to give yourself a chance to win it -- with nine holes to go. It is a lot of patience and hanging around, because you can't win it in the first three days."

Photos: Tiger Woods: From highs to lows Tiger Woods clinched his fifth Masters and 15th major title with victory at Augusta in April. Hide Caption 1 of 29 Photos: Tiger Woods: From highs to lows The former world No. 1 had not won the Masters since 2005, and it was his first major win since 2008. Hide Caption 2 of 29 Photos: Tiger Woods: From highs to lows A month after winning the Masters, Woods received the nation's highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, from President Donald Trump. Hide Caption 3 of 29 Photos: Tiger Woods: From highs to lows Woods won the season-ending Tour Championship in September 2018. It was his first title in five years following a succession of back injuries. Hide Caption 4 of 29 Photos: Tiger Woods: From highs to lows Signs that Woods was back to his best were obvious at August's PGA Championship, where he finished runner-up to Brooks Koepka. It followed an impressive showing at July's British Open, where he briefly topped the leaderboard. Hide Caption 5 of 29 Photos: Tiger Woods: From highs to lows Woods made an impressive return to competitive golf in 2018 after multiple back surgeries in recent years. He played his first Masters in three years in April 2018. Hide Caption 6 of 29 Photos: Tiger Woods: From highs to lows The four-time champion had back fusion surgery -- his fourth procedure -- in April 2017 and returned to the game pain-free in December. He finished tied 32nd at Augusta. Hide Caption 7 of 29 Photos: Tiger Woods: From highs to lows Woods was touted as one of the favorites after impressing in his early-season events. He also set tongues wagging by playing a practice round with old rival Phil Mickelson, right. Hide Caption 8 of 29 Photos: Tiger Woods: From highs to lows Woods finished tied second at the Valspar Championship in March 2018 and followed it up with a tie for fifth at the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill. The hype needle moved into overdrive. Hide Caption 9 of 29 Photos: Tiger Woods: From highs to lows Woods set out on his legendary path by becoming the youngest winner of the Masters -- at 21 -- with a record 12-shot win in 1997. Hide Caption 10 of 29 Photos: Tiger Woods: From highs to lows One of his most remarkable feats was winning his first US Open by an unprecedented 15 shots at Pebble Beach, California, in 2000, sparking a streak never seen before or since. Hide Caption 11 of 29 Photos: Tiger Woods: From highs to lows Woods' victory in the 2001 Masters meant he held all four of golf's major titles at the same time, dubbed the "Tiger Slam." Hide Caption 12 of 29 Photos: Tiger Woods: From highs to lows Woods' win rate, his dedication to fitness training and his desire to succeed were changing golf. Prize money rocketed because of Woods. Off the course, he married girlfriend Elin Nordegren in 2004. Hide Caption 13 of 29 Photos: Tiger Woods: From highs to lows Woods showed rare emotion when he broke down in tears on the shoulder of caddie Steve Williams following his win in the 2006 British Open at Hoylake, months after his father and mentor Earl passed away. Hide Caption 14 of 29 Photos: Tiger Woods: From highs to lows Despite being visibly hampered and in pain from a knee injury, Woods won the US Open in breathtaking fashion at Torrey Pines, California, in 2008. It was his 14th major title to leave him only four behind the record of Jack Nicklaus. He was later diagnosed with knee ligament damage and two fractures of his left tibia. He missed the rest of the season after surgery. It is still his last major title. Hide Caption 15 of 29 Photos: Tiger Woods: From highs to lows In December 2009, Woods crashed his car into a fire hydrant outside his home. As the big picture emerged it was discovered Woods had been conducting a series of extra martial affairs. He took three months away from the game to sort out his private life. Hide Caption 16 of 29 Photos: Tiger Woods: From highs to lows In February 2010 Woods addressed the world's media to explain and apologise for his actions. His infidelity led to divorce and was the beginning of a downhill slide in Woods' playing career. By October he lost the world No. 1 ranking, a position he had held for 281 consecutive weeks Hide Caption 17 of 29 Photos: Tiger Woods: From highs to lows Back in the fold, Woods earned his first win in two years at the Chevron World Challenge in December 2011, a charity tournament he hosts that does not count on the PGA Tour money list. Hide Caption 18 of 29 Photos: Tiger Woods: From highs to lows Woods was back in the winner's circle in 2013, lifting five titles, including the Arnold Palmer Invitational, to get back to the top of the rankings. Hide Caption 19 of 29 Photos: Tiger Woods: From highs to lows In March 2013, Woods and Lindsey Vonn announced they were dating on Facebook. In January that year, the champion skier had finalized her divorce from Thomas Vonn, after initializing proceedings in 2011. In May 2015, Woods and Vonn announced their breakup, with the golfer claiming he "hadn't slept" in the days following. Hide Caption 20 of 29 Photos: Tiger Woods: From highs to lows Later in 2013 there were signs all was not well as Woods was seen to be in pain as he picked the ball out of the hole at the Barclays tournament in August. He missed the Masters the following April for the first time since 1994 to undergo back surgery. Hide Caption 21 of 29 Photos: Tiger Woods: From highs to lows Woods pulled out of the Farmers Insurance Open in February 2015, and struggled with injury and form for the rest of the season. Hide Caption 22 of 29 Photos: Tiger Woods: From highs to lows Woods cut a dejected figure at that year's US Open as he struggled with his game and carded rounds of 80 and 76 to miss the cut. Hide Caption 23 of 29 Photos: Tiger Woods: From highs to lows In August 2015 Woods made his last appearance for 15 months to undergo follow-up back surgeries. At one stage during his rehabilitation, Woods spoke of there being "no light at the end of the tunnel" -- and with one eye on his fading career, he suggested "everything beyond this will be gravy." Hide Caption 24 of 29 Photos: Tiger Woods: From highs to lows Woods made a much-anticipated return to golf in December 2016, showing signs of promise with the highest number of birdies in the field -- 24 -- but he also made a number of costly errors to finish third from last in the 18-man event. Hide Caption 25 of 29 Photos: Tiger Woods: From highs to lows He missed the cut in his first event of 2017 in the US and pulled out after the first round of the Dubai Desert Classic in February, citing back spasms. He underwent a fourth back prodecure in April. Hide Caption 26 of 29 Photos: Tiger Woods: From highs to lows The golf legend was arrested Monday, May 29, on suspicion of driving under the influence. He was booked into a local jail in Florida and released a few hours later. He said in a statement he had "an unexpected reaction to prescribed medications." Hide Caption 27 of 29 Photos: Tiger Woods: From highs to lows In August Woods entered a first-offender program and pleaded guilty to reckless driving on October 28. He will avoid jail unless he commits major violations of his probation. Hide Caption 28 of 29 Photos: Tiger Woods: From highs to lows Woods returned to golf after 301 days at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas on November 30 2017. He carded a three-under first-round 69 and appeared pain-free and hungry to resume his career. Hide Caption 29 of 29

Hot streak

This year's US PGA, however, includes a fascinating subplot.

From now on, the tournament will take place three months earlier than before -- partly to assist golf's place at the Olympics, while also allowing southern US states to host the tournament in cooler temperatures -- meaning the major calendar will be complete by the fourth week of July.

"It is interesting now because, literally, if you get hot you could run off all four majors in a four-month span," says Koepka.

"If you're going to play good, now is the time to do it because they are all so close together. The players like it -- it has been very well received.

"For Tiger, having won, I'm sure he loves the fact that this is happening now because he's playing good."

The revised format could well assist Woods' goal of chasing Jack Nicklaus' record of 18 major victories, but for Koepka it changes nothing.

"I couldn't care less what anybody else is doing," he says. "I'm not there to see how other guys are hitting it. When you start worrying about everybody else, that's when you start becoming a little distracted.

"I'm there for one reason only. I'm there to play. I'm there to win."