Ryder Cup: Brooks Koepka hits out at 'child' Jon Rahm after dominant opening day for Team Europe
Europe equalled their largest opening-day lead in Ryder Cup history after winning both sessions in unbeaten day at Marco Simone GC; Luke Donald's side need eight more points over final two days to regain trophy; Watch day two live on Saturday from 6am ahead of first tee shot at 6.35am
Saturday 30 September 2023 13:07, UK
Brooks Koepka accused Jon Rahm of acting like a child after the Spaniard's stunning afternoon performance at the Ryder Cup in Rome on Friday.
Rahm eagled two of the final three holes at Marco Simone as he and Nicolai Hojgaard came from behind to earn a tie in their fourballs match against Koepka and Scottie Scheffler.
The 28-year-old world No 3, who chipped in three times in his two matches during the day, celebrated exuberantly as Europe took firm command of the contest, leading 6.5-1.5 after day one. It was not clear, however, what Rahm did in particular to rile the American.
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Koepka said in a TV interview: "I think me and Scottie birdied 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, and then 'lost' [to] two [eagles]. So yes, I mean I want to hit a board and pout just like Jon Rahm did but, you know, it is what it is. Act like a child. But we're adults. We move on."
Koepka alluded to this subject again when asked what the US needed to do on Saturday to get themselves back into the match.
He said: "Honestly, we'll be fine. We're all grown-ups, we act like grown-ups. We'll be just fine. Just got to play and see where it puts you. Just keep fighting. You never know what's going to happen. [We have] still got a long day tomorrow.
"I guess it's just a matter of momentum, but we've got to go out in the first session and play well, that's for sure."
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Europe captain Luke Donald was asked about Rahm's comments but did not offer an opinion.
"I certainly didn't see any of that," Donald said. "Jon [Rahm] was a big support system for Nicolai [Hojgaard] today. Jon's a passionate person, but I didn't see him acting any other way."
United States skipper Zach Johnson added: "I don't know what that is referring to to. I am sure Brooks [Koepka] is frustrated like all 18 of us are with today and the result."
Rahm plays down Koepka 'rift'
"I've never had an issue with Brooks, to be fair," Rahm said after his win in the Saturday foursomes. "I don't know now, but up until yesterday afternoon, I thought we had a pretty good relationship.
"We're both pretty much, you know, straight-up people that don't like the BS in between. There's always been that mutual respect. And he's always been an incredible player, and he's always done amazing things.
"Listen, had I seen somebody make the putt on 18 the way I did, I would not have been the happiest of people either. Clearly there was a little bit of luck involved with that, but it is match play. I think we saw plenty of the opposite when we were at Whistling Straits two years ago."
Team USA hit by illness | Johnson: It's not an excuse!
Johnson was reluctant to go into details about the specifics of the illness affecting his team but when pressed on the matter, the American captain admitted it had impacted some of his decision-making.
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"We have contingencies and things of that nature based on a lot of things," he said. "I would say that we'd love to have everything drawn out way ahead of time but there's certain things you cannot control and we are trying to control the controllable in our team room, and I'll leave it at that.
"There's been some unforeseen things that we've had to navigate around, which is really unfortunate, in the sense of health. It's not an excuse because we have depth but I'll just say I'm grateful we have a team doctor.
"It's kind of passed around a little bit, caddies, players. It is what it is. But it's nothing more than that. Guys are fighting and playing regardless. We have got some congestion and some just signs of things that are unfortunate.
"It's one of those where sometimes the energy is probably a little low, but the ability and desire to go out and play is still there. It has spread through my team."
Johnson added on Saturday morning that the "small portion" of his team suffering with illness responded well to antibiotics.
"It's a small portion of the players but there are some guys who have not been feeling the best. Thankfully we have a great medical staff, and they've responded really well to the antibiotics. It's part of it, it's sport, it's not an excuse, let me get that straight!
"As I said in the presser, over and over, to Luke and his team, they played awesome. That's the story of yesterday, how that team played.
"My concern is the response of my guys and it has been very, very positive. This team is ready. New opportunity, new day."
Watch the Ryder Cup exclusively live this week on Sky Sports! Live coverage from day two begins on Saturday from 6am, ahead of the first tee time at 6.35am. Stream the Ryder Cup and more for £21 a month for six months with NOW.
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