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Matt Fitzpatrick critical of PGA president after Ryder Cup

The end of the Ryder Cup on Sunday hasn’t quieted any talk between the sides.

On Wednesday, European star Matt Fitzpatrick fired back at PGA of America president Don Rea, calling his comparison of the crowds at Bethpage Black and Marco Simone Golf & Country Club, which hosted the 2023 event outside Rome, “pretty offensive to European fans.”

Rea was asked Sunday by the BBC about the abuse fans on Long Island had been giving to Rory McIlroy, the Irish star who was the target of taunts and harassment throughout the Ryder Cup, leading to increased security around him during play.

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“It happened when we were in Rome on the other side and Rory understands … things like that are going to happen and I don’t know what was said. But all I know is golf is the engine of good,” Rea said.

Fitzpatrick called that comparison between fans at the sites — similar to one U.S. captain Keegan Bradley made this past weekend — off base.

“What the PGA of America guy said about it being the same in Rome — he clearly wasn’t there,” Fitzpatrick told reporters Wednesday ahead of play at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland. “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 also said he felt Rea was insincere during Sunday’s Ryder Cup trophy presentation after Europe held off a furious U.S. rally to secure a 15-13 win.

“I don’t want to speak for everyone, but we felt a bit of bitterness during the trophy presentation and handshake,” he said.

“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.”

Golf

Matt Fitzpatrick says crowd abuse a factor in his parents skipping Ryder Cup

Sep 25, 2025, 02:04 PM ET

Matt Fitzpatrick confirmed his parents have not traveled to watch him at the Ryder Cup in New York partly because of crowd abuse.

Fitzpatrick and the European team are expected to receive a hostile reception from a boisterous home crowd when the contest against the United States at Bethpage Black begins Friday.

The Yorkshireman, who is playing in his fourth Ryder Cup, was previously targeted at the 2021 event at Whistling Straits.

As a result, his mother and father have decided against attending this time, although their participation in the upcoming Alfred Dunhill Links Championship — in which their other son Alex is also involved — also influenced their decision.

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“They didn’t have a great experience in Whistling Straits,” Fitzpatrick said. “That’s not a lie or anything or making anything up.

“But the other thing is, both my parents are playing next week in the Dunhill. They didn’t really want to ruin that experience as well, because that’s obviously special to have that.

“So it’s a combination. It’s a lot of travel, it’s obviously a busy week. It’s a tiring week. And then they obviously want to have a nice week as well.

“No denying that they had a bad experience in the past, but there’s no reason why it has to be like that this time. … Obviously I’ll miss them this week for sure, but they are doing what’s best for them, and that’s what’s important.”

Matt Fitzpatrick’s parents will not attend the 2025 Ryder Cup. Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images

Fitzpatrick himself, having already been booed during practice, is determined not to let any abuse bother him. “I’m from Sheffield, so that’s probably a good start,” he said.

“Like I keep saying, the fans are what make this event,” Fitzpatrick said. “They’re what make this event so fun, so special, and it’s obviously a great opportunity for us to come and try and play our best golf in front of them.”

Fitzpatrick, 31, announced himself on the highest stage when he won the 2022 U.S. Open, but his Ryder Cup record remains poor, having collected just one point in eight attempts.

He said: “It’s obviously frustrating, but all I can do is keep qualifying for the teams and keep giving myself the opportunity to improve on the record.”