Matt Fitzpatrick is one of four European Ryder Cup team members who are straight back in action at this week’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland, and, despite the fact that he’s a former winner of the event staged at Kingsbarns, Carnoustie and St Andrews, the Ryder Cup at Bethpage was the main talking point in his pre-tournament press conference.
Fitzpatrick wasn’t alone in taking exception to the suggestion that the atmosphere created by the fans at Bethpage was comparable to that in Rome two years ago, but he felt that the CEO of the PGA of America, Don Rea, displayed a little bitterness during the trophy presentation and in an interview with BBC Northern Ireland’s Stephen Watson that has subsequently gone viral.
“I saw the interview with the PGA guy discussing about it was the same in Rome. It’s pretty offensive to European fans the fact that he said that, really,” 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 we got to the — when they presented the trophy there and shook hands. I think it was — they can’t control what comes out of everyone’s mouth, there’s no doubt about it.
“I wouldn’t say we were looking for an apology but I would say it’s understandable that they would apologise. I’ve had a number of friends who are American send messages, texts, all sorts, apologising for the fans and saying really sorry that you had to deal with that stuff.
“But we knew what we were going to deal with going in. 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. So it wasn’t an issue.”
He was asked to clarify who he meant specifically when he mentioned “bitterness.”
“Well, the CEO of The PGA of America obviously,” he replied. “Me and Rosey both looked at each other as if to say, that wasn’t a very heartfelt congratulations, you know. And he said we only retained it but actually we won it, so….”
