Home/Golf

USA Today via Reuters

USA Today via Reuters

It would have been a disappointing ride back home for the Zach Johnson-led team as they experienced a crushing defeat in the Ryder Cup at the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club. Moreover, there was a lot of drama during the course of the competition, as rumors of rifts began to circulate among Brooks Koepka and Co.

But the US team’s attention came to be focused on an entirely different thing, all the while managing to dispel the fall-out gossip. The squad took to concentrate on Koepka’s absence amidst the group in the few months, and no, it wasn’t because of him jumping ships to the PIF-funded league, but something else!

The American team comments on Brooks Keopka’s absence

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

The US team suffered an 11.5-16.5 defeat to their European rivals in an amazing display of golf by the Luke Donald-led squad. However, the group was able to pick up, dust themselves off, and take a step forward all the while showing real sportsmanship on and off the course. But what surprised the fans was not their view about the loss, but their focus on Koepka’s absence from the PGA Tour scenes.

While talking in the presser with the team, Justin Thomas took a friendly jab at the LIV golfer while hilariously mentioning how he might be the “misfit” who is not part of the group. JT went ahead to say, “Maybe it was Brooks, we don’t see him very often anymore,” to which the 33-year-old agreed.

Moreover, the golfer on the Saudi-backed league revealed how it “felt like he had not seen the guys in a few months” while expressing his excitement “to see everybody.” However, foreseeing how the whole conversation might imply something else, the skipper made sure to point out how he had a baby boy born some time ago, to which Thomas was quick to agree.

Well, one can’t help but laud the golfers for finding a bit of relief amid their loss stemming mainly from their embarrassing start. But nevertheless, they were truly one in the interview as they took to make fun of Keopka.

The closest Ryder Cup team ever?

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

In the press conference, Thomas was asked about some instances on or off the course that stood out to him since the professional had remarked how it was one of the closest teams he had played on earlier in the interview. The American squad including the professional started to laugh while replying as they recounted some instances during the whole journey that stood out to them as a group.

ALSO READ – Despite the Rory McIlroy Parking Lot Drama, Joe LaCava Is a ‘Hero in Disguise’ as Valiant Tales of His Heroics Resurface

Adding to his response, the 30-year-old American Ryder Cup star mentioned how they had a lot of fun hanging out amongst themselves. Remembering some instances, he recounted Koepka becoming the “biggest Texas football fan you’ve ever seen” and Max Homa making them watch the Cal game at 5:00 AM in the morning.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Nevertheless, one can safely say that the rumors of a possible rift are just that, rumors! One can only hope that they can pull themselves up from the loss completely to face the challenges the sport has for them in the future.

Watch This Story | Horrible golf fans show no mercy as Novak Djokovic suffers a bizarre public embarrassment at 2023 all-star Ryder Cup match