Ryder Cup: Brooks Koepka hits out at ‘child’ Jon Rahm after dominant opening day for Team Europe

Europe equaled the largest opening day lead in Ryder Cup history after winning both sessions on the unbeaten day at the Marco Simone GC; Luke Donald’s side still need eight points in the last two days to win back the trophy; Watch day two live on Saturday from 6am, ahead of the first tee shot at 6.35am

Brooks Koepka accused Jon Rahm of behaving like a child after the Spaniard’s stunning afternoon performance at the Ryder Cup in Rome on Friday.

Rahm scored two of the final three holes over Marco Simone as he and Nicolai Hojgaard came from behind to earn a draw in their four-ball match against Koepka and Scottie Scheffler.

The 28-year-old world number 3, who scored three times in his two matches during the day, celebrated wildly as Europe took control of the match and led 6.5-1.5 after day one. However, it was not clear what Rahm did in particular to incite the American.

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Jon Rahm credits partner Nicolai Højgaard for his performances in the fourballs and says the Dane used Seve Ballesteros as inspiration for the Spaniard.

Koepka said in a TV interview: “I think Scottie and I made 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 birdies and then ‘lost’ two (eagles). So yeah, I mean, I want to hit a plate and pout just like Jon Rahm did, but you know what, it is what it is. Act like a child. But we’re adults. We move on.”

Koepka alluded to this topic again when asked what the U.S. needed to do on Saturday to get back into the game.

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Jon Rahm made Eagle win the 16th and tie the game on Friday afternoon

He said: “Honestly, we’ll be fine. We’re all adults, we act like adults. We’ll be fine. We just gotta play and see where it takes you. Just keep fighting. You I never know what’s going to happen. (We have) another long day tomorrow.

“I think it’s just a matter of momentum, but we have to go out there in the first session and play well, that’s for sure.”

Europe captain Luke Donald was asked about Rahm’s comments but offered no opinion.

“I certainly didn’t see any of that,” Donald said. “Jon (Rahm) was a big support for Nicolai (Hojgaard) today. Jon is a passionate person, but I didn’t see him acting any differently.”

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Luke Donald praised his team’s performance on the first day of the Ryder Cup as they recorded five match wins in foursomes and fourballs.

United States Captain Zach Johnson added: “I don’t know what that refers to. I’m sure Brooks (Koepka) is as frustrated as all 18 of us are about today and the result.”

Team USA hit by illness?

Johnson was reluctant to go into detail about the specifics of the disease that struck his team, but when pressed on the issue, the US captain admitted it had influenced some of his decision-making.

“We have contingencies and things like that based on a lot of things,” he said. “I would say that we would prefer to have everything planned out well in advance, but there are certain things that are out of your control and we try to control the controllable in our team room and I will leave it at that.

“There have been some unforeseen things that we have had to work around, which is a shame, in terms of health. It’s not an excuse because we have depth, but I will just say I’m grateful we have a team doctor.

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Viktor Hovland captured some stunning shots on his way to teaming up with Ludvig Aberg to a 4&3 victory over Max Homa and Brian Harman.

“It’s a bit of a pass, caddies, players. It is what it is. But it’s nothing more than that. Guys fight and play anyway. We have some holdups and some are just signs of unfortunate things.

“It’s one of those situations where the energy is a little low at times, but the ability and desire to go out and play is still there. It’s spread through my team.”

Watch the Ryder Cup live exclusively on Sky Sports this week! Live coverage from day two will begin from 6am on Saturday, ahead of the first start time at 6.35am. Stream the Ryder Cup and more for £21 per month for six months with NOW.