Ryder Cup captains weigh in on Brooks Koepka and Jon Rahm feud

The Ryder Cup captains Luke Donald and Zach Johnson have offered their thoughts on the comments Brooks Koepka made about Jon Rahm.

Ben Smith

29 Sep 2023

Ryder Cup captains weigh in on Brooks Koepka and Jon Rahm feud

Luke Donald says he 'didn't see any of that' when he was asked for his thoughts on Brooks Koepka's comments about Jon Rahm's conduct on the golf course.

Koepka appeared upset with the Spanish World No.2 after the conclusion of their Friday afternoon fourballs match.

Rahm, playing alongside Nicolai Hojgaard, finished eagle-eagle to claim half a point against Koepka and Scottie Scheffler.

Team Europe have their biggest lead since the 2004 Ryder Cup at Oakland Hills and for the very first time they won the opening session 4-0.

It wasn't immediately clear whether Koepka was unhappy with Rahm's conduct at this Ryder Cup or on previous occasions.

Asked how he was feeling after their match at the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club, the 2023 PGA Championship winner said:

"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. 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."

It appears that Koepka was referring to Rahm's eagle putt at the final hole which went in at pace.

Donald was given a right of a reply by a reporter in his press conference in the immediate aftermath of Justin Rose sinking a clutch putt in his match with Robert MacIntyre against Wyndham Clark and Max Homa.

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The Englishman asked what Koepka's comments were in reference to. Presumably, his conduct on the course, the reporter said.

Donald said:

"Yeah, I certainly didn't see any of that. 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."

Team USA skipper Zach Johnson was also pressed by reporters on Koepka's annoyance with Rahm.

Johnson said he wasn't aware of anything that transpired in their match to upset the American LIV player.

But he said Koepka was 'frustrated'.

He explained: "I'm sure Brooks is frustrated, like all 12 of us, 18 of us are, frustrated, with today and the result.

"The way I see it is Jon -- were they 1-down going into that hole; is that right?

"And the only thing you probably can't do in that situation, because we had two birdie putts, was to leave it short.

"So he executed his shot, played the percentages properly; meaning, you've got to get it to the hole, and the ball went in. Tip of the cap. Great putt."

Johnson then went on to claim the U.S. Ryder Cup side are suffering with illness. "I'm glad we have a team doctor," he said.