SHEBOYGAN (Wis.) -- Brooks Koepka was critical of two rules officials who refused to give him a free shot during a foursome match at Saturday's 43rd Ryder Cup at Whistling Strits.
Koepka called David Price, PGA rules official, after Daniel Berger hit his tee shot in native grass on the 15th green. He claimed that his club would be sunk if he swung.
Price declined the request, despite Berger and Koepka lobbying for relief over several minutes. Koepka asked for another official, and after a brief discussion Mark Litton, European Tour rules official, agreed to Price.
Koepka was a four-time major champion and pointed at Price, Litton, and said, “If I break my wrist it's on you both.”
Koepka was able to hit the ball onto 15th green, but it was not clear if his club went down. To tie the hole, the American team putted two-putt for par. The Americans lost their match against Sergio Garcia and Jon Rahm of Spain 3 and 1. This was the team's only loss in the morning session.
Koepka was unable to answer questions about the decision after the match.
Koepka was injured in the third round at East Lake's Tour Championship when his club struck a tree root. Koepka was forced to withdraw from that tournament and spent the next few weeks rehabbing the wrist in preparation for the Ryder Cup.
During his conversation with Price, Koepka stated that he didn't believe that my club would reach there. "There was a root that far back a few weeks ago."
Price was the PGA rules officer who told Dustin Johnson in 2010 that he had ground his club in a bunker at Whistling Straits' 18th hole. This was in the final round for the PGA Championship. Johnson was penalized by two strokes, which prevented him from playing in a playoff and cost him the chance to win his first major title.
