GUIDONIA MONTECELIO, Italy -- Jon Rahm says he has no issues with Brooks Koepka after the American accused him of acting like a child Friday at the Ryder Cup, but Rahm did admit to taking out his frustration by hitting one of the boards leading up to the 18th tee.
Rahm and partner Nicolai Hojgaard managed to get a key half-point for Europe on Friday when they tied their four-ball match against Koepka and Scottie Scheffler on No. 18, having been two holes down with three to play. Rahm chipped in from 63 feet for eagle on the 16th and then slotted a 35-foot putt on the 18th to tie the match.
Koepka was clearly frustrated and said in a television interview: "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."
Rahm was asked about the comments Saturday after he helped Europe to a 9½-2½ lead after the morning foursomes, where he and Tyrrell Hatton defeated Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele 2 and 1.
"I'm not going to stand here and say I'm a, you know, perfect example on what to do on a golf course," Rahm said. "I play and compete the way I think I need to play and compete, and yeah, I think he mentioned it. I'm not happy I left a 10-footer short on 17 to possibly tie the hole, and going up to the tee, I let off some frustration hitting the board sideways. I kept walking, never stopped, that was it. If Brooks thinks that's childish, it is what it is. He's entitled to think what he thinks, and I mean, I don't know what else to say."
Rahm said he is staying away from social media but was made aware of the comments by his friends who sent Koepka's criticism to him.
"I'm very comfortable with who I am and what I do," Rahm said. "I've done much worse on a golf course like that. That doesn't even register to a low level of Jon anger on the golf course.
"As far as I'm concerned, I'm very happy with who I am, and I needed to do that at that moment to let off some steam and play the hole I wanted to do. And clearly it worked out, played two great shots and got a little lucky on the putt. I needed to do what I needed to do to perform under those circumstances. Is it right or wrong, childish or not, I don't know, but that's what I needed at the moment."
Asked whether there was an issue between Koepka and him, Rahm answered: "I've never had an issue with Brooks, to be fair. I don't know now, but up until yesterday afternoon, I thought we had a pretty good relationship, you know."