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Brooks Koepka will be joined by Bryson deChambeau at the 2021 Ryder Cup.
Steve Stricker, USA's captain for the event, said to John Hawkins of Sports Illustrated that the stars will not let their rivalry stop them from dethroning Team Europe.
Stricker stated, "They assured me that they [top priority] are the team and the nation and all that goes into it." They said it wasn't going to be an issue and I believe them. They are trustworthy. It's been put to rest.
Anyone who has been following golf for the past few years will know all about the bad blood between DeChambeau and Koepka. They don't hesitate to express their mutual hatred for each other.
Jessica Marksbury, Golf.com's Jessica Marksbury, attempted to trace the roots of the feud. She did so after Koepka complained that DeChambeau was playing deliberately.
A few months later, the two appeared to have reached a compromise. DeChambeau then commented on Koepka being included in ESPN The Magazine’s Body Issue.
He said that he didn't think his genes made him look good during a Twitch stream. "Didn't you see the Body Issue?" He didn't have any abs. "I have abs."
After that, all bets seemed to have been lost.
Fans are also enjoying the party. Two people who taunted DeChambeau at the Memorial Tournament in June by shouting "Brooksy!" were expelled. During his round. Koepka made a reference to the drama by stating that he would give away free bottles of beer.
DeChambeau said that the whole back-and-forth was "great for PIP fund," which is a pool money given to the top players in the game.
However, what's good for golf may not be good for the U.S. at Ryder Cup.
Both DeChambeau and Koepka have qualified for the tournament at Whistling Straits this September. They are two of the best golfers in the world individually. Their antipathy together has the potential for becoming a problem.
It's already having an impact on the U.S. squad, as Stricker stated that he is unlikely to bring the two warring stars together in the same two-man team.
The Ryder Cup is not won by talent alone. In the past, the United States has been unable to win due to a lack teamwork. Maybe the common goal of winning the country's second title in three events is enough to allow Koepka or DeChambeau, at least for a few days, to get along.
