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In the aftermath of Europe’s 15–13 victory at Bethpage, Matt Fitzpatrick publicly criticized PGA of America President Don Rea, accusing him of being “bitter” during the trophy presentation.
Fitzpatrick said he and Justin Rose exchanged glances, sensing Rea’s congratulations were not heartfelt. “He said we only retained it, but actually, we won it,” Fitzpatrick stated, challenging Rea’s phrasing.
Disagreement Over Crowd Comparisons
The tension intensified after Rea suggested that fan hostility toward European players mirrored behavior U.S. players endured when America visited Rome in 2023.
Fitzpatrick flatly rejected that comparison, saying Rea must not have witnessed the same events. According to Fitzpatrick, the European crowd chants were generally playful, not abusive, and accused Rea of making an “offensive” implication about European fans.
Balancing Respect and Response
While Fitzpatrick acknowledged that it’s difficult to control every spectator’s conduct, he defended calls for responsibility and decorum. He accepted that apologies from U.S. golf figures were understandable, especially given the intensity of the match atmosphere.
But he made it clear that for him and his teammates, the trophy moment should have carried more genuine warmth, particularly toward the victors.
