Jon Rahm is very much becoming a talisman for the European Ryder Cup team and after another great performance at Bethpage Black, a quick glance back to his run-in with Brooks Koepka in 2023 shows just why Rahm is so great.
The Spaniard was the leading man for Luke Donald again as he was sent out first alongside Tyrrell Hatton.
Rahm duly delivered, winning 4&3 in his opening match, before following up in the afternoon by winning 3&2 alongside Sepp Straka.
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Saturday saw Rahm and Hatton win again, before he was finally beaten in both the afternoon session and his Sunday singles match against Xander Schauffele.
However, three points was a good return for Rahm and when you look at the passion and fight he shows, it’s worth noting what he said in 2023’s event.
Jon Rahm’s response to Brooks Koepka at the Ryder Cup in 2023
Koepka and Rahm are both big characters with big egos and it was little surprise they clashed in Rome.
Koepka accused the Spaniard of being childish. However, Rahm was having none of it at the time and admitted he has to be fired up to play well.
“I’m not going to stand here and say I am perfect example of what to do on a golf course. But I play and compete. I play and compete the way I think I need to play and compete,” Rahm said at the time.
“Whatever he says, it shouldn’t change the way I approach this tournament. That’s it. I’m here to do my job and whatever comments anybody else may have shouldn’t really change the way I go about it or what I think of myself.”
“I was not happy I left a 10-footer short on 17 to possibly tie the hole,” Rahm explained further.
“And going up to the tee, I let off some frustration hitting the [advertising] 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.”
Jon Rahm’s behaviour is a driving force for Team Europe
While Brooks Koepka can sit and think what he wants about Jon Rahm and how he behaves on the course, the fact of the matter is it makes Rahm the player he is.
Few can match the passion, grit, and of course, quality the Spaniard brings to the table.
Indeed, there’s an argument to suggest that Rahm is picking up the baton left by Ian Poulter, in terms of winning points and inspiring others.
Rahm’s form over on LIV Golf has been nothing short of sensational and he brought that with him to Bethpage in 2025.
Three points from five is no mean feat and just like in 2023, Rahm was key in helping Europe over the line.
For Luke Donald, Rahm’s mannerisms and passion are a key factor and he’ll be part of the team at Adare Manor in 2027, barring any hiccups with LIV.
As for Rahm himself, he has every right to back himself. Yes, golfers can get carried away and let emotions get the better of them sometimes.
But for Jon Rahm, it’s just his personality and if you took that away from him, he’d not be the same.
Put simply, Brooks Koepka was wrong to call him out and just two years from those comments, Rahm has proven once again just why he is like he is on course.
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