SM
Brighton vs. Man City: 11 hrs 39 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data

Steve Stricker has no worries over Brooks Koepka ahead of the Ryder Cup

:Headline: Steve Stricker has no worries over Brooks Koepka ahead of the Ryder Cup:
In an interview last week the four-time major champion said he finds the biennial event "tough, hectic and a bit odd".
Sports Mole

United States Ryder Cup captain Steve Stricker insists he has no worries over the mindset of Brooks Koepka as they head into the tournament later this week.

In an interview last week the four-time major champion said he finds the biennial event "tough, hectic and a bit odd" and also expressed his frustration at not being able to "take naps" during the week.

It appeared to offer another insight into the disharmony within the American team room which critics have linked to them losing nine of the last 12 matches.

Brooks Koepka's comments about the Ryder Cup caused an unnecessary stir for captain Steve Stricker on the eve of the event (Richard Sellers/PA)

Koepka, who has declared himself fit from a wrist injury which prevented him from joining a two-day reconnaissance at Whistling Straits with the rest of the team, also brings a long-running feud with Bryson DeChambeau to Wisconsin but Stricker insists everything is under control on both fronts.

"I have talked to him about it," said the USA captain over Koepka's comments.

"I've had experiences with Brooks over many of these teams and the conversation I've had with him and what I've personally seen in the team room doesn't 'jib up' to what I was reading in those articles.

"I am not worried about Brooks. He assures me he is healthy and 100 per cent and he is on this team to do whatever needs to be done to be a winner at the end of the week.

"I've been talking to him every couple of days since it (the injury) happened and he tells me everything is 100 per cent and he is ready to go.

"From what I understand he is fully healed and ready for anything."

The Koepka-DeChambeau relationship is likely to be a thread running throughout the week as players appear in front of the media.

Stricker has been asked about it many times before so had his answer prepared when questioned.

He added: "It's a non-issue for me and the team. I've had conversations between them both and they have assured me it's not going to be an issue.

"I had a dinner, they all showed up, had great conversation and they are completely on board. I have no worries whatsoever.

"Will we pair them together? I don't think so at this point but things could change. Could always happen. But probably not."

“Will we pair them together? I don't think so at this point. Could always happen. But probably not.”
- Stricker on a Koepka-DeChambeau combination

Stricker does not expect Tiger Woods, recovering from a car crash in February, to make an appearance during the week in a vice-captaincy role.

"Probably not going to happen," he said. "He's been in my ear a lot and I call him pretty regularly. He's part of our Ryder Cup Team. He's part of what we do.

"I know some of the players went over to see him but I think it's just not a good time for him to be here physically because of where he's at in his rehabilitation.

"But he's getting better and his focus is on making a comeback to play again. We don't want to get in the way of that because we would all love to see him come back and play."

European captain Padraig Harrington arrived not quite knowing the fitness status of world number one Jon Rahm after illness last week but was reassured once he met the Spaniard.

Rahm pulled out of the Wednesday pro-am and missed the cut in California having not eaten for two days, saying he felt worse than when he contracted Covid-19 in June.

"He was lifting very nicely in the gym today when I arrived," said Harrington.

"After hearing the reports last week, I arrived in to find him too sweaty to give a hug due to lifting some heavy weights.

"I said, 'OK, things are looking good'."

With no European fans allowed to travel over for the event, Harrington's players face an even greater partisan atmosphere as they seek to defend the trophy they won in Paris three years ago.

It is not a worry for their captain, however, nor the team.

He said: "Our players play for the glory of this event. If there was 40,000 US fans and no Europeans, we'd prefer that than having no fans. That's just the reality.

"We want the noise. We want the excitement. We want the buzz of it all. Yes, the players will have to deal with it and yes, they will have to embrace it.

"But they wouldn't want the alternative. Having no fans is no fun."

body check tags ::

amp_article__464645 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2021-09-20 22:58:27:
html db last update - 2021-09-20 22:36:11 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html

Click here for more stories about Brooks Koepka

Share this article now:
TF
Read Next:
Fleetwood ready to become villain of the piece as Europe bid to retain Ryder Cup
>


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Read more about Brooks Koepka Steve Stricker Jon Rahm Padraig Harrington Bryson DeChambeau Tiger Woods Golf
Follow @SportsMole for the latest breaking news stories, and follow @sm_headlines to get every headline from Sports Mole
Recommended Next on SM
Fleetwood ready to become villain of the piece as Europe bid to retain Ryder Cup
Everton claim derby spoils to deal major blow to Liverpool's title hopes
Best Football Betting sites in the UK for April 2024: Where can you place your bets?

Page options

Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal34245582265677
2Liverpool34228475344174
3Manchester CityMan City32227376324473
4Aston Villa34206871502166
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs32186865491660
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd33165125150153
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle331551369541550
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham34139125463-948
9Chelsea32138116157447
10Bournemouth34129134960-1145
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton321111105250244
12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves34127154654-843
13Fulham34126165054-442
14Crystal Palace34109154456-1239
15Brentford3498175259-735
16Everton34118153648-1233
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3479184260-1826
18Luton TownLuton3467214775-2825
19Burnley3458213769-3223
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd3437243392-5916
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

This weekend's permutations: Who can be crowned champions, win promotion or suffer relegation?

1

TW

Man Utd's Maguire breaks Premier League record with Sheffield United strike

2

MU

Simon Cowell calls Louis Walsh, Sharon Osbourne "great friends"

NEW

3

SC

Chelsea 'make enquiry about RB Leipzig defender'

4

C'

Liverpool 'could confirm next manager by this weekend'

5

L'

Spurs 'leading race for Australian wonderkid'

6

S'

Preview: Real Sociedad vs. Real Madrid - prediction, team news, lineups

7

PR

Real Madrid's top target 'agrees to play as a number nine next season'

8

RM

Three possible replacements for Erik ten Hag at Man Utd

9

TP

Liverpool 'open talks with leading candidate to succeed Klopp'

10

L'


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .