Ryder Cup: Brooks Koepka takes swipe at “pouting” Jon Rahm

Brooks Koepka has launched an extraordinary broadside at Jon Rahm following the pair’s dramatic halved match in the Friday afternoon fourballs at the 2023 Ryder Cup.

Masters champion Rahm eagled two of his three holes to salvage an unlikely half-point for he and Nicolai Hojgaard over Koepka and world No.1 Scottie Scheffler.

That helped Europe establish a record-equalling five-shot lead at the end of the first day at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club and leave Zach Johnson’s US side with a mountain to climb if they are to end a 30-year winless drought on European soil.

However, speaking afterwards, Koepka appeared to be irked at some of Rahm’s behaviour during their match.

Asked how he was feeling after seeing a full point slip through their grasp on the last, the PGA champion said: “Me and Scottie birdied, what did we say, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, and then lost [that stretch] by two.

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“So, yeah. 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.”

At the time of publishing, it’s unclear what, specifically, has upset Koepka.

In a weird twist, he appeared to throw another little jab in Rahm’s direction when he was asked what attitude the US will need to take into tomorrow if they are to turn the tide in the match.

“Honestly, we’ll be fine,” he said. “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.”

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US captain Zach Johnson was asked about Koepka’s comments when he met the media afterwards but could shed little further light on the matter.

“I’m sure Brooks is frustrated, like all 12 of us, 18 of us are, frustrated, with today and the result,” said the US skipper.

His European counterpart Luke Donald was equally non-plussed.

“Jon is a passionate person, but I didn’t see him acting any other way,” said the Englishman. “He 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.”

• We’ll update this article as and when we get more information.

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor