Tommy Fleetwood’s Message on Ryder Cup Crowd Behavior
Tommy Fleetwood wants to clarify that not all American golf fans should be blamed for the chaos that erupted during the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black. He acknowledges that a line was crossed by a small group of disorderly fans.
Verbal abuse mostly targeted Rory McIlroy and his wife, Erica, with Fleetwood witnessing it firsthand while partnering with McIlroy during the alternate-shot matches. Although Friday’s environment was manageable, Saturday intensified significantly.
Despite the issues, Fleetwood highlights that only a minority of spectators were unruly. He expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support from many Americans present, noting that most fans maintained good sportsmanship.
During their match, McIlroy faced harassment from the crowd, which culminated in him addressing spectators who were distracting him. This led to tensions escalating further that day.
Despite the outbursts, McIlroy and Fleetwood managed to secure wins against American pairs. After Saturday’s match, the atmosphere spiraled further, with even the emcee encouraging derogatory chants directed at McIlroy.
In light of the events and following Europe’s victory, Fleetwood insists there are “no hard feelings” and emphasizes that not all American fans acted poorly. He insists the responsibility should not lie with every spectator, as the majority exhibited commendable behavior.
Fleetwood, looking toward future competitions, mentions that henceforth, the focus should remain on the game itself while acknowledging the passionate but sometimes misguided actions of a few. He remains optimistic about the competitive spirit and camaraderie in golf.
