Golf: Rivals Koepka, DeChambeau share hugs, wanted Ryder Cup union

Sept. 27 (UPI) -- Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau squashed their rivalry and hugged it out to help Team USA beat Europe at the 43rd Ryder Cup. The golf foes also requested to play together throughout the week.

"They had a mission this week," Team USA captain Steve Striker told NBC on Sunday at Whistling Straits Golf Course in Sheboygan, Wis. "You could tell. They played great and came together.

"Brooks and Bryson wanted to play together. That's how much it came together."

The rivals often exchange trash talk on the course throughout the PGA Tour season. They also traded barbs in May on social media.

DeChambeau and Koepka shared a brief embrace immediately after the Americans sealed the victory Sunday in Sheboygan. They exchanged a longer hug just off the stage at the final news conference.

The last hug was prompted by teammate Justin Thomas, who serenaded the rivals with the song Why Can't We Be Friends?

"I think before this is all over we should have Brooks and Bryson hug in the middle of the room to prove how much of a team we are," Thomas told reporters.

DeChambeau held the Ryder Cup trophy with his right hand as he wrapped his left arm around Koepka. The two also shared a hand shake.

Their American teammates laughed and applauded in the background. The Americans beat the Europeans 19-9 in the three day tournament, which consisted of foursome, four-ball and singles formats.

"I felt like, as a whole, we all came together and did something amazing," DeChambeau told reporters. "This is a start to a new generation. I think we are going to be doing some incredible things going forward."

World No. 2 Dustin Johnson led the Americans with a 5-0 record at the tournament. Koepka, ranked No. 9, went 2-2. The seventh-ranked DeChambeau went 2-0-1.

The Americans' 19 points were the most scored at a Ryder Cup since 1979.