Brooks Koepka snubbed from Ryder Cup pairings as Zach Johnson responds to 'boos'

28 September 2023 , 16:38

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US Ryder Cup captain Zach Johnson left five-time major champions out of the opening foursomes matches on Friday

LIV Golf rebel Brooks Koepka appeared to be booed by fans as his name was read out at the Ryder Cup opening ceremony, but his Team USA captain Zach Johnson doesn't think he'll be too bothered.

Koepka was left on the sidelines for the first session, as Johnson opted not to include him or Jordan Spieth for the fourballs. The move was a surprising one considering Koepka's talent and the fact he's one of the biggest names on the Team USA roster - usually the biggest names go out early to take the attention away from rookies or younger players.

But Johnson was quick to downplay any suggestions his decision was made based on the form of any of his players. He insisted the decision was just a case of him keeping everyone fresh for the other four sessions.

With his US players not doing any media after the opening ceremony, Johnson was left to face the media himself and told his press conference: "The gist of it is we have 12 guys, unfortunately I can't play all 12 each session, someone has to sit. This is a golf course that demands a lot physically so, I think it's an ideal situation where you don't want to play everyone all 5 sessions.

"That's not what I'm saying we're gonna do, but you take everything into account. The guys on paper are the guys I feel are best to put us in a position after the first session."

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Johnson was also asked about Koepka's reception but insisted he didn't hear any fans booing the LIV Golf star, instead stating it was difficult to hear from the stage. The USA captain also went on to state he felt it was unlikely Koepka would be phased by any negative reaction.

Zach Johnson dismissed suggestions he left Brooks Koepka and Jordan Spieth out due to form

He said: "I didn't hear anything, it's hard to hear from the stage. As far as something like that, I didn't hear anything. I know Brooks well enough to know he's very secure in himself, and I know his 11 team-mates are very secure in him.

"The way we approach it, that's all that's important. I didn't hear anything but applause for the guys I mentioned."

Scottie Scheffler and Sam Burns will tee off first for the USA against Jon Rahm and Tyrell Hatton, with Max Homa and Bryan Harman playing Viktor Hovland and Ludvig Aberg in the second game.

Rickie Fowler and Colin Morikawa play Shane Lowry and Sepp Straka in the third game before Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay face Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood.

Team USA caused controversy when they refused interviews with the Golf Channel after the opening ceremony. The US has already blocked Netflix from filming during this weekend, and Paul McGinley believes the snub gives Europe the upper hand.

He explained: "In a team room, I know what it is like. They are back there and they are gossiping and talking 'can you believe the American's didn't do the interviews?' It might sound like nothing, but the psyche in there greats a good sense, a sense that you've got a little bit of an edge going on."

Daniel Blackham