Matt Fitzpatrick issues strong statement after being booed by fans at Players Championship
Matt Fitzpatrick has spoken out after he was subject to relentless jeering from the American crowd at the Players Championship.
During the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black in September, Team Europe were subject to brutal abuse from American fans attending the competition.
In the most severe cases, family members of Europe's best golf players had to endure disgusting comments and, in some cases, physical attacks.
Among the players dealing with the abuse from American fans was England's Fitzpatrick, who made his fourth Ryder Cup appearance last year.
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Now, six months after being subject to the heckling at Bethpage Black, Fitzpatrick was repeatedly booed as he competed at the Players Championship over the weekend.
The Englishman battled Cameron Young for first place at the tournament and therefore was forced to deal with the abuse from fans supporting the American player.
But it's clear that the fans attempts to put him off had no impact on Fitzpatrick, who addressed the booing after finishing his round on Sunday.
“Listen, the crowd, that was literally child’s play compared to Bethpage. If they think that that was anything, then they need to reassess. Get yourself up to New York,” joked the former US Open champion.
“Listen, that’s how it is. That’s how it is. I would hope it’s the exact same if — well, it probably wouldn’t be because we’re a little bit more polite in Europe, I would say, but I would hope it would be of similar intensity in Europe.
“I knew it was coming. I had it with Jordan Spieth in 2023. Yeah, it’s funny to me. I find it hilarious.”
In the end, it was Young who came away the victor at TPC Sawgrass with a final hole bogey from Fitzpatrick paired with a birdie-par finish from the American settling their rivalry.
However, while Fitzpatrick has claimed that the boos and jeering didn't bother him, the same can't be said for many fans watching the Players Championship at home.
Reacting to the crowd at TPC Sawgrass, one fan wrote on X: "It’s a shame. I’m a proud red blooded American but it’s getting way out of hand.
"It’s just getting obnoxious, border line arrogant. I’m 100% for being patriotic but this isn’t Ryder Cup. Are we at the point now where we are going to boo every non American golfer in contention against an American?"
With another agreeing, adding: "People need to be classier. 100%. Rooting for your home country doesn't mean you have to be openly rude to other players."
Thankfully for golf fans, it is now just three weeks until the most famous and prestigious tournament in the sport tees off, The Masters.
Any fans lucky enough to attend the tournament in person will have to follow the famous strict rules of Augusta National, guaranteeing there won't be any boos or abuse during play.
Ben McCrum