When Matt Fitzpatrick accepted the Ryder Cup trophy on behalf of Team Europe at Bethpage Black on September 28, 2025, he didn’t just feel the weight of victory — he felt the sting of disrespect. Two days later, the 31-year-old Englishman didn’t hold back. In a candid Golf Channel interview aired October 2, Fitzpatrick accused Donald 'Don' Rea, president of the PGA of America, of bitterness during the trophy handover — not because of the score, but because of the tone.
"It’s Pretty Offensive to European Fans"
Fitzpatrick’s anger wasn’t about losing. Europe won 16.5 to 11.5. It was about what came after. Rea, in a post-event interview, compared the crowd behavior at Bethpage Black to the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome — a remark that, to European players, felt like a dismissal. "It’s pretty offensive to European fans the fact that he said that," Fitzpatrick said. "You know, I don’t want to speak on behalf of everyone, but we did feel there was a little bit of bitterness when they presented the trophy there and shook their hands." He wasn’t alone. Fellow Englishmen Tyrrell Hatton and Tommy Fleetwood echoed his sentiments in the same interview. All three had endured targeted verbal abuse throughout the weekend — shouts, jeers, even racial slurs directed at McIlroy and others. Rea’s claim that he "had not heard of any verbal abuse hurled at Rory McIlroy" rang hollow to those who lived it."We Knew What We Were Going to Deal With"
Fitzpatrick, who’s played in four Ryder Cups since 2016, knows the drill. He remembers the 2021 event at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin, where he was booed so viciously his parents, Michael and Susan Fitzpatrick, decided not to return. "They were there in 2021," he said. "They didn’t come this time. Partly because of that. Partly because they were playing in the Dunhill Links at St Andrews." His brother, Alex, was there — but not their mother and father. That silence spoke volumes. The European team, under captain Luke Donald, prepared for hostility. "We expected this," Fitzpatrick said. "Luke and the team did such an amazing job with that; you over prepare so that actually when you get there, we expected this, anyway." But expecting it and having it minimized are two different things.
The Trophy Room Was Cold
The trophy presentation, normally a moment of sportsmanship, felt tense. Fitzpatrick described the handshake with U.S. captain Keegan Bradley as stiff. "It wasn’t hostile," he clarified. "But it wasn’t warm either. And when Rea came over — I mean, he was smiling, but it felt like he was already writing the story in his head. The one where we’re the problem." The PGA of America, headquartered in Frisco, Texas, has nearly 29,000 members. It’s supposed to represent the game — not just the home team. Yet Rea’s comments, made without any public acknowledgment of the abuse, felt like a betrayal to many European players. "They can’t control what comes out of everyone’s mouth," Fitzpatrick said. "But they can control what they say after."American Fans Apologized — But the Leadership Didn’t
Here’s the twist: American fans weren’t the problem. Many were horrified. "A number of friends who are American send messages, texts, all sorts, apologizing," Fitzpatrick said. "Saying, really sorry you had to deal with that stuff." That’s the real story. The fans who showed up with flags and cheers were outnumbered by a vocal minority. But the leadership? They didn’t address it. They dismissed it. Rea posted a LinkedIn update on October 3 — a vague note about "gratitude for the passion of the game." No mention of the abuse. No apology. No recognition of the emotional toll on European players. That silence, more than any boo, is what stings.
What This Means for the Future
The 2027 Ryder Cup heads to Hazeltine National in Minnesota. The 2029 event is set for Rome again. If the PGA of America doesn’t act — if it continues to downplay fan misconduct — it risks turning the Ryder Cup from a celebration into a battleground. European players may start declining U.S. invites. Broadcasters may push back. Sponsors may rethink their involvement. Fitzpatrick, ranked 21st in the world with 13 pro wins including the 2022 U.S. Open, isn’t calling for boycotts. He’s asking for basic decency. "I wouldn’t say we were looking for an apology," he said. "But I would say it’s understandable that they would apologize."Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Matt Fitzpatrick react so strongly to Don Rea’s comments?
Fitzpatrick felt Rea’s comparison of the Bethpage crowd to Rome minimized documented incidents of verbal abuse against European players — including racial slurs and targeted taunts. Rea’s claim that he "had not heard of any verbal abuse" contradicted firsthand accounts from Fitzpatrick, Hatton, and Fleetwood, making his remarks feel dismissive and tone-deaf.
What happened at the 2021 Ryder Cup that affected Fitzpatrick’s family?
At the 2021 event at Whistling Straits, Fitzpatrick was subjected to intense booing and personal abuse from spectators. His parents, who attended that year, were so disturbed by the experience that they chose not to travel to Bethpage in 2025 — even though they were competing in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland during the same week.
Did other European players support Fitzpatrick’s claims?
Yes. English golfers Tyrrell Hatton and Tommy Fleetwood joined Fitzpatrick in the October 2 Golf Channel interview, confirming they also experienced hostile behavior and agreed Rea’s comments were offensive. Multiple unnamed European players reportedly shared similar frustrations in private conversations with team staff.
How has the PGA of America responded to the backlash?
As of October 4, 2025, Don Rea has issued no public statement addressing the allegations of abuse or his controversial remarks. His only public update was a LinkedIn post on October 3, which praised "the passion of the game" without acknowledging any misconduct or offering an apology to European players.
Could this affect future Ryder Cup host selections?
Potentially. If the PGA of America doesn’t implement stricter crowd control measures and publicly condemn fan misconduct, European players may push back on participating in future U.S.-hosted events. Sponsorship interest could wane, and broadcasters may demand guarantees of player safety — turning the Ryder Cup from a global celebration into a political liability.
Is crowd hostility common in the Ryder Cup?
It’s not uncommon, but it’s usually contained. The 2025 event at Bethpage Black saw a spike in targeted abuse — especially toward McIlroy, Fleetwood, and Fitzpatrick — far beyond typical partisan cheering. Unlike past events where fans were rowdy but respectful, this year included chants, racial slurs, and personal attacks, prompting calls for new security protocols and fan education initiatives.
