#Letakan iklan disini
Golf Dec 07, 2025

Ryder Cup: Matt Fitzpatrick accuses PGA president Don Rea of being 'bitter' during trophy presentation

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Ryder Cup: Matt Fitzpatrick accuses PGA president Don Rea of being 'bitter' during trophy presentation

Matt Fitzpatrick accused PGA president Don Rea of being "bitter" when handing the Ryder Cup over to Team Europe following their triumph at Bethpage Black.

Europe's 15-13 victory was marred by incidents involving spectators throughout the three days of action, with Rory McIlroy in particular singled out for abuse.

McIlroy was frequently put off his tee shots and his wife Erica had beer thrown over her, while an announcer was also stood down for encouraging an abusive chant about McIlroy prior to Saturday's foursomes.

Fitzpatrick claimed the hostility extended even to PGA president Rea, whom he accused of insincerity during his interactions with Team Europe at the trophy presentation.

Speaking to the media ahead of his appearance at the Alfred Dunhill Links, Fitzpatrick said: "I don't want to speak for everyone, but we felt a bit of bitterness during the trophy presentation and handshake.

"Me and Rosie [Justin Rose] looked at each other thinking the congratulations didn't feel very heartfelt. He said we only retained it, but actually - we won it."

The Americans had gone into the final session 12-5 down before mounting a stirring comeback in Sunday's singles but ultimately came up short.

USA captain Keegan Bradley refused to condemn the "passionate" home fans at Bethpage, with Rea suggesting the abuse suffered by European players was the same as the American players received in Rome two years earlier, a view Fitzpatrick refuted.

"That Saturday afternoon was one of the best things I've ever seen - the chanting, the cheering, the songs," he added.

"That's what makes European fans so great compared to American fans. Not all American fans are abusive, they are not, it's always a small few.

"What makes European fans stand out is the creativity, the chants - not just shouting random obscenities."

Fitzpatrick continued: "What the PGA of America guy said about it being the same in Rome - he clearly wasn't there. Either he wasn't there or he was listening to something else, because it was never like that. It's always been playful, just banter.

"The interview with the PGA guy saying it was the same in Rome. That's pretty offensive to European fans."

Fitzpatrick, who halved his singles match against Bryson DeChambeau to secure a crucial half-point, said he understood why figures in American golf had issued apologies.

"It's not like they can control what everyone says," Fitzpatrick said. "We're not out there demanding an apology, but it's understandable they would offer one.

"I've had quite a few emails, messages, and texts from American friends apologising for the fans."

Watch the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship live on SportNews Golf from 12pm on Thursday.

Tags:

golf news id:13442287

Share this article

Related Posts

Golf to debut at 2026 Commonwealth Games alongside BMX and coastal rowing

Golf to debut at 2026 Commonwealth Games alongside BMX and coastal rowing

Golf, BMX and coastal rowing will make their Commonwealth Games debuts when Australia's southern state of Victoria hosts the 2026 edition, organisers said on We...

Australian Open: Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen holds nerve to beat home favourite Cameron Smith to title

Australian Open: Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen holds nerve to beat home favourite Cameron Smith to title

Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen picked up his first win on the DP World Tour as he held his nerve for a one-shot victory over Cameron Smith to win the Australian Open...

PGA Tour 2026 schedule: Dates, venues, events for the new FedExCup season, Signature Events and golf majors

PGA Tour 2026 schedule: Dates, venues, events for the new FedExCup season, Signature Events and golf majors

The PGA Tour has confirmed its schedule for the 2026 FedExCup season, with nine Signature Events in a 35-tournament calendar.The schedule will retain its Januar...

Tour Championship: Tommy Fleetwood secures FedExCup title and claims maiden PGA Tour title with impressive win at East Lake

Tour Championship: Tommy Fleetwood secures FedExCup title and claims maiden PGA Tour title with impressive win at East Lake

Tommy Fleetwood secured a long-awaited breakthrough PGA Tour title – at the 164th attempt – and claimed FedExCup victory with an impressive three-shot win at th...

Tommy Fleetwood wins the FedExCup: LeBron James and Everton FC lead sporting tributes to historic maiden PGA Tour win at Tour Championship

Tommy Fleetwood wins the FedExCup: LeBron James and Everton FC lead sporting tributes to historic maiden PGA Tour win at Tour Championship

Salah's bombshell interview plunges Liverpool future into doubtIn an explosive interview, Mohamed Salah has plunged his Liverpool future into doubt and suggeste...

Tommy Fleetwood's PGA Tour perseverance pays off with FedExCup success at the Tour Championship and begins new chapter in Englishman's career

Tommy Fleetwood's PGA Tour perseverance pays off with FedExCup success at the Tour Championship and begins new chapter in Englishman's career

There's an age-old saying that if at first you don’t succeed, you try and try again. While the origins of that motivational message remain debated, the principl...