When Matt Fitzpatrick stepped onto the practice green at Bethpage Black Golf Course on Wednesday, September 25, 2025, he wasn’t expecting to be the target of a chorus of jeers — not for his swing, but for his braces and Skechers. The 30-year-old English golfer, a captain’s pick for Team Europe, was met with sarcastic chants like "That way, brother" and "The green is that way" as he chipped from the rough. It wasn’t just noise. It was personal. And it wasn’t isolated.
The Incident That Broke the Calm
The heckling happened just hours before the opening round of the 2025 Ryder Cup, with tensions already high after Team USA’s humiliating loss in Rome in 2023. Fitzpatrick, from Sheffield, had previously told GolfMagic that American fans "just chant ‘USA, USA’" — a blunt critique that apparently lit a fuse. The crowd, emboldened by the electric atmosphere, turned his style choices into punchlines. But it wasn’t just about fashion. It was about identity. European fans, he noted, had long celebrated creativity — clever, witty chants that roasted players without crossing lines. American fans, he felt, had chosen brute repetition over wit.
What made it worse? No one stopped it. Security didn’t intervene until Saturday afternoon, after homophobic slurs targeting Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry began echoing across the course. The chants weren’t spontaneous. They were organized — led by comedian Heather McMahan, who reportedly coordinated the "F--- You, Rory" chant at the first tee on Saturday, September 28. By then, the damage was done.
Leadership That Looked Away
While fans screamed, PGA of America leadership stayed silent. Its president, Don Rea, didn’t just fail to condemn the behavior — he defended it. In a BBC interview and a LinkedIn post on September 25, Rea downplayed the abuse as "part of the passion." He refused to address McMahan’s chant, even when pressed. And during the trophy presentation on Sunday, September 29, he made a gaffe that felt like salt in the wound: he called Europe "retaining" the Cup, not winning it — a subtle but telling misstep that implied the Europeans were merely holding onto something they already owned.
Then came the final insult. Rea didn’t hand the trophy to Luke Donald, Europe’s captain. He handed it to a PGA official. Fitzpatrick, watching from the podium, said quietly: "I don’t want to speak for everyone, but we felt a bit of bitterness during the trophy presentation and handshake."
A Father’s Fear, a Mother’s Choice
Fitzpatrick’s parents, Richard and his mother, didn’t just miss the 2025 event — they chose not to come at all. Why? Because they’d been there before. In 2021, at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin, they watched as homophobic slurs and chants of "you suck" rained down on McIlroy and Lowry. Fitzpatrick says he texted them every day during the 2025 event, describing the atmosphere. Their reply? "We’re glad we didn’t come."
It’s not just Fitzpatrick’s family. Rory McIlroy, who relocated to England in 2025 and deepened his ties to the DP World Tour, is now reportedly considering reducing his appearances at U.S. events. Golf Monthly speculates he might skip the PGA Championship or even the Masters if the culture doesn’t change. That’s not just about golf. It’s about dignity.
The Apology That Came Too Late
Two-time Ryder Cup captain Tom Watson, 85, didn’t wait for the PGA to act. On social media, he posted a simple, devastating message: "More importantly, I’d like to apologize for the rude and mean-spirited behavior from our American crowd at Bethpage. As a former player, captain and as an American, I am ashamed of what happened."
Watson’s words carried weight. He’s a legend. He played in eight Ryder Cups. He captained two. His shame wasn’t just personal — it was institutional. And it echoed across the Atlantic.
Why This Matters Beyond the Fairway
The Ryder Cup isn’t just golf. It’s a biennial cultural collision — tradition versus spectacle, camaraderie versus competition, creativity versus chaos. Europe’s fans have long been praised for their wit: chants about players’ marriages, their haircuts, their quirks — all delivered with humor, never malice. America’s? Too often, it’s a wall of noise. "USA! USA!" isn’t a chant. It’s a command. And when it’s paired with slurs and targeted harassment, it stops being passion. It becomes bullying.
And the PGA of America, headquartered in Frisco, Texas, has the authority — and the responsibility — to enforce its own code of conduct. The rules at Bethpage said "cheer respectfully." But no one enforced it until Saturday afternoon. That’s not oversight. That’s negligence.
What’s Next?
European players are now demanding formal apologies — not just from fans, but from the PGA. Fitzpatrick said he’s received dozens of texts from American friends apologizing. That’s heartening. But it shouldn’t have to come from individuals. It should come from leadership.
Will the PGA change its security protocols for the 2027 event in Italy? Will it ban repeat offenders? Will it train volunteers to recognize hate speech — not just as "passion," but as harassment? Until then, the shadow of Bethpage will loom over every U.S. tournament. And the question won’t be whether the Americans can win. It’ll be whether they deserve to host.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Matt Fitzpatrick’s parents skip the 2025 Ryder Cup?
Fitzpatrick’s parents chose not to attend after experiencing abusive fan behavior at the 2021 Ryder Cup in Whistling Straits, where homophobic slurs and chants targeted Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry. After receiving daily updates from Fitzpatrick during the 2025 event, they concluded the atmosphere hadn’t improved and opted to stay home.
What role did PGA of America President Don Rea play in the controversy?
Rea publicly downplayed fan abuse in interviews and on LinkedIn, refusing to condemn organized chants like "F--- You, Rory" led by Heather McMahan. He also botched the trophy presentation by calling Europe "retaining" the Cup and failing to hand it to captain Luke Donald, deepening European resentment toward PGA leadership.
How did European fan behavior differ from American behavior at the 2025 Ryder Cup?
European fans are known for witty, creative chants — often poking fun at players’ quirks without malice, like the humorous taunts directed at Patrick Cantlay in Rome. American fans, by contrast, relied on repetitive slogans like "USA! USA!" and targeted personal attacks, including homophobic slurs and references to past failures, which crossed into harassment.
What impact might this have on Rory McIlroy’s future participation in U.S. events?
McIlroy, who moved to England in 2025 and now plays more frequently on the DP World Tour, is reportedly considering reducing his appearances in the U.S. due to the hostile environment. Golf Monthly suggests he may skip the PGA Championship or even the Masters if fan conduct remains unchecked, signaling a potential shift in the sport’s geographic balance.
Did Tom Watson’s apology carry weight in the golf community?
Yes. As a two-time Ryder Cup captain and golf legend with eight appearances in the event, Watson’s public shame carried moral authority that the PGA of America lacked. His statement was widely shared across European media and became a benchmark for what leadership should look like — accountability, not defensiveness.
What changes are needed to prevent this from happening again?
The PGA must enforce its own spectator code of conduct from day one, not after abuse escalates. Training volunteers to identify hate speech, banning repeat offenders, and issuing public condemnations are essential. Without structural change, the Ryder Cup risks becoming a spectacle of hostility rather than a celebration of sport.
