Brooks Koepka Seemed to Take a Shot at Jon Rahm After USA's Ugly Day 1 at Ryder Cup
ROME — The intensity of the Ryder Cup was on full display Friday afternoon as three tense matches came down to the 18th hole, all ending in ties after the American team had a chance to win all of them.
Brooks Koepka was none too pleased, and suggested he was unhappy with the behavior of Jon Rahm, who eagled two of the last four holes to salvage the tie with partner Nicolai Hojgaard against Koepka and Scottie Scheffler.
The U.S. led 1 up through 15 hole and Rahm had not made a birdie to that point.
Brooks Koepka (left) and Jon Rahm halved their fourball match Friday afternoon at Marco Simone.
Gregorio Borgia/AP
Koepka suggested his anger came out at various times.
"I mean, I think me and Scottie birdied, what did we say, 14, we birdied 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, and then lost by two," Koepka said, referring to losing two of the last three holes. “So yeah. 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."
The quotes came from a brief television interview and there was no follow-up to Koepka’s comments. It was unclear if there was an incident he was referring to specifically or just overall frustration. Speculation after the session suggested that the "board" was an imaginary backboard that Rahm's solidly hit putt struck on the back of the 18th hole.
"I certainly didn't see any of that," European captain Luke Donald said. "Jon was a big support system for Nicolai today, and to hit a big drive down 18 and hit it on the front of the green and make an eagle for a halve, that's a lot of passion.
"Jon is a passionate person, but I didn't see him acting any other way."
Rahm had a remarkable day, chipping in three times overall during his two sessions and nearly making an ace in his early-morning foursomes match.
The two players battled this year at the Masters, where they played the final 36 holes together, with Rahm overtaking Koepka during the final round to win the green jacket by four shots.