Brooks Koepka addresses controversial Ryder Cup comments: "You spun it that way"

Brooks Koepka claims the media spun his infamous Ryder Cup comments as negative as he revealed he could understand why Dustin Johnson wasn't picked by Team USA captain Zach Johnson. 

In case you have forgotten, Koepka caught some flack prior to the 2021 Ryder Cup when he claimed he wasn't able to take 'naps' during the contest and found the week 'tough, hectic and a bit odd'. 

Koepka complained he wasn't able to go to the gym and there was no time to 'decompress'. 

Off the back of those comments, 2018 Team USA captain Paul Azinger claimed Koepka should have relinquished his spot on the team if that was how he felt.  

But Koepka, who will play LIV Golf Chicago this weekend and then fly directly to Rome, stressed in a recent interview with SI's Bob Harig all he wanted to convey was that the contest 'was different'. 

"I just said it's different," Koepka told the publication. "That doesn't mean it's bad. Y'all spun it that way."

Koepka is the only LIV Golf player involved in the contest.

Some have argued there should have been more given the aforementioned Johnson went 5-0-0 for Team USA two years ago. 

For his part, Johnson said his association with LIV meant he wasn't picked as, despite not being spectacular in the major championships, he would have qualified automatically had he played PGA Tour events. 

"I get the case for DJ," Koepka told Harig, adding:

Koepka was a captain's pick but his inclusion wasn't that controversial at all given he placed second at the 87th Masters then added a fifth major championship to his resume a few weeks later at the PGA Championship. 

Captain Johnson has said all six automatic qualifiers wanted him on the team. 

He boasts a record of 6-5-1 in three Ryder Cups with a 2-0-1 record in the singles.

 

 

 

 

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The question for Johnson is who Koepka plays with. 

The American, 33, offered some clues. Perhaps we'll see him alongside another 2023 major champion in Wyndham Clark. 

"I've been close with Wyndham for years even before I came over [to LIV]," Koepka said.

• Report: Wyndham Clark given ultimatum by agent and caddie

"I used to play most of my practice rounds with him. It was either DJ or him it felt like. We talked through the whole process [of the Ryder Cup]. It's been fun to hear his thoughts, being a rookie. To see him play so well was cool. I must have texted him right after he finished in L.A. [at the U.S. Open]. He's a good kid and someone I really like."

More Ryder Cup news:

• EXCLUSIVE: Why Matt Fitzpatrick is taking a different approach with Ludvig Aberg
• Luke Donald may be forced to bench Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm at Ryder Cup
• Sir Nick Faldo hits out at LIV Golf player returns in European Ryder Cup team
• Report: Sergio Garcia made 'bizarre' last-ditch attempt to play in the Ryder Cup

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