Jon Rahm has brushed off Brooks Koepka’s claim that he acted like a child at the Ryder Cup by saying it was not even “low-level ‘Jon’ anger”.
Koepka accused the Spaniard of displaying immature behaviour and pouting during the dramatic closing stages of their opening-day fourballs encounter in Rome on Friday.
Rahm registered two eagles in the final three holes as he and playing partner Nicolai Hojgaard twice came from behind to claim half a point for Europe against American duo Koepka and Scottie Scheffler.
![Jon Rahm](https://www.irishnews.com/resizer/v2/D76RFCEMMNLZDIWZWVMA7GHVMI.jpg?auth=c20c1046b9ca345ddb057558d7e88b7cf61c44a45802e7b7132e18e8770c7371&width=800&height=548)
Referring to an incident after the US pair won the 17th hole to move one up, Koepka said after the match: “We birdied 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, and lost two (holes). So, yes, 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.”
Rahm did not deny the incident when asked about it on Saturday but played down its seriousness.
He said: “I am not going to stand here and say I am a perfect example of what to do on a golf course. I play and compete the way I think I need to play and compete.
“I am not happy I left a 10-footer short on 17 to possibly tie the hole, and going up to the tee I let out some frustration hitting a board sideways. I kept walking. That was it.
“Brooks thinks that’s childish. It is what it is. He is entitled to think what he thinks. I don’t know what else to say but I am very comfortable with who I am and what I do.
![Brooks Koepka](https://www.irishnews.com/resizer/v2/QPJGE5IOJJJKRGNDLWFJFQ4IVU.jpg?auth=71a571f8aa6cb0e5c9679859390a90960961169513c48ef7db428fe0091d806c&width=800&height=521)
“I have done much worse on a golf course, so that doesn’t even register to a low level of ‘Jon’ anger on a golf course.”
The fightback by Rahm and Hojgaard capped a superb first day for Europe which they ended 6.5-1.5 ahead and they celebrated exuberantly.
Rahm believes Koepka’s remarks probably came out of frustration.
He said: “I’ve never had an issue with Brooks. I don’t know now, but up until yesterday afternoon I thought we had a pretty good relationship.
“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.”
JON RAHM!!! 💪🇪🇺#TeamEurope pic.twitter.com/Fa0ZUH4hwZ
— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) September 30, 2023
Rahm was back in action in the foursomes with Tyrell Hatton on Saturday morning and the pair beat Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele 2&1. They were both then rested in the afternoon.
Rahm said: “As a competitor you want to keep going but we had a couple players finish early that had been better rested.
“It’s mentally draining and (captain) Luke (Donald) has to do whatever he thinks is best.”