Matt Fitzpatrick Targeted by U.S. Fans as Ryder Cup Mind Games Begin

Matt Fitzpatrick got an early taste of the hostile atmosphere awaiting Team Europe at Bethpage Black, as American fans trolled him during practice rounds ahead of Friday’s Ryder Cup opener.

The Englishman, a captain’s pick by Luke Donald, was practicing chip shots from the rough when two Team USA supporters began heckling him.
“Yo, Fitzy! The green’s that way, brother!” one fan shouted. Another added sarcastically, “Oh no, Fitzy, backward shot—I should try that. That’s why I shoot 97.”

The playful jeers highlighted the type of distractions Donald has been preparing his players for, even using VR headsets to simulate crowd abuse. Rory McIlroy admitted the training lets players “choose their level of insults,” though he hinted the actual phrases used aren’t repeatable.

Morikawa Wants “Chaos”

While Fitzpatrick faced the brunt of it on Wednesday, U.S. star Collin Morikawa believes this is just the beginning.
“I’ll be honest, it’s been kind of tame so far,” Morikawa said. “But I hope Friday is absolute chaos. I think it feeds into who we are as Americans. We want it.”

The 2023 Ryder Cup winners know they will need every advantage if they’re to fend off a Europe side looking to defend their trophy in front of President Donald Trump, who is expected at Bethpage this weekend.

Fitzpatrick’s Comments May Have Fueled Fans

Fitzpatrick may have put himself in the spotlight with earlier remarks comparing fan culture.
“European golf fans are more creative,” he told The Times. “The U.S. has zero chants other than ‘USA, USA.’ Football fans in Europe come up with hilarious stuff, and I think Patrick [Cantlay] took it well when it was aimed at him.”

That creativity might not be on display in New York, but the intensity certainly will. Fitzpatrick, who admitted he struggled during previous Ryder Cups, says he’s in a better headspace this year.
“To be honest, this has probably been the easiest Ryder Cup cycle I’ve had,” he explained. “2016 was horrendous because it was my first, and I was desperate to make the team. In 2021 and 2023, I qualified fairly comfortably. This time, being a captain’s pick feels different—I’m ready.”

As Europe and the U.S. fine-tune their final preparations, Fitzpatrick’s experience is proof that the mental battle has already begun—before a single shot has been struck.