Koepka: I am fit and ready for Ryder Cup
BROOKS KOEPKA has confirmed he will play at next week’s Ryder Cup after his recent battle with a wrist injury and comments from former US captain Paul Azinger questioning his commitment to the event.
Four-time major winner Koepka pulled out of the Tour Championship two weeks ago, giving home captain Steve Stricker a scare ahead of the eagerly awaited contest with Europe at Whistling Straits.
In an interview this week, Koepka referred to the Ryder Cup as ‘a bit odd’ and said it interrupted his usual routine during tournaments, including regular naps.
Those comments prompted Azinger, who led the Americans to victory in 2008, to say he should withdraw from the event if he did not want to be there.
But a defiant Koepka told Golfweek: ‘I’ll be there. I’m good to go. I’m feeling good.
‘Been doing my rehab, doing everything I need to do to be ready for the cup. I’ll be there ready to play.’
Meanwhile, there was heartening news for Europe’s captain Padraig Harrington yesterday ahead of the match, which starts next Friday, as Jon Rahm played in the first round of the Fortinet Championship in California.
The US Open champion (pictured), the only player on either side to tee it up at the event, pulled out of Wednesday’s pro-am with ‘stomach issues’. But he was well enough to compete in round one and was level par heading to the turn. Koepka was inspirational for the Americans when they won the 2016 contest at Hazeltine, while on his Ryder Cup debut three years ago, Spaniard Rahm claimed a memorable singles victory over Tiger Woods to help Europe to glory in Paris.