When Matt Fitzpatrick stepped onto the 18th green at Whistling Straits on Sunday, October 27, 2025, he didn’t just secure a half-point — he helped seal Europe’s first outright Ryder Cup victory since 2018. With a 2-1-1 record in the 45th edition of the event, Fitzpatrick’s clutch half against Bryson DeChambeau was the final nail in the coffin for Team USA, who fell 15-13. But the celebration was shadowed by a bitter exchange over words — and wounds — that refused to heal.
The Moment That Won the Cup
Fitzpatrick, 30, entered the 2025 Ryder Cup with more than just momentum — he had redemption on his mind. After slipping outside the top 70 in the world rankings just months before the Masters, he clawed back with 15 straight cuts made, including top-10 finishes at the PGA Championship and The Open. He didn’t qualify for the Tour Championship, but he didn’t need to. His form was undeniable. And when Luke Donald picked him as a captain’s choice, it felt less like a favor and more like a statement. In his singles match, Fitzpatrick raced out to a 5-up lead through 10 holes. Then, everything unraveled. DeChambeau, fueled by a roaring American crowd, chipped away. Birdies. Pars. A miraculous up-and-down on 17. By the 18th, it was all square. Fitzpatrick’s 20-foot par putt? It stayed right. Half point. Game over. Europe had 14. One more point would win it outright. And when Rory McIlroy closed out his match moments later, the scoreboard flashed: 15-13. No tie. No envelope rule. No excuses."We Won It"
That’s when Rea, President of the PGA of America, took the mic. "Congratulations on retaining the cup," he said, smiling. The room went quiet. Then, the whispers started. "Me and Rosey both looked at each other," Fitzpatrick later told reporters. "That wasn’t a very heartfelt congratulations, I know that. And he said we only retained it — but actually we won it, so..." He trailed off, shaking his head. "It felt like a slight. A quiet one. But it was there." Fitzpatrick wasn’t alone. Tyrrell Hatton, who went 3-0-1, called the comment "disrespectful." The European team’s social media channels erupted. Fans in the UK and Ireland flooded Twitter with #WeWonIt. Rea later posted a vague update on LinkedIn, but never directly addressed the remark. To many, silence spoke louder.Why His Parents Didn’t Come
The real sting, though, came from home. Fitzpatrick’s parents, Martin and Susan Fitzpatrick of Sheffield, England, didn’t fly to Wisconsin. Not because they didn’t care. But because they remembered 2021. At the last Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits, European players reported being taunted with chants of "USA! USA!" — but also with racial slurs, mocking gestures, and bottles thrown near the 17th green. Fitzpatrick’s mother, Susan, cried watching it on TV. "They didn’t want to see their son in that environment again," he said. "I texted them every night," Fitzpatrick added. "I told them about the crowd, the energy, the way people were acting. I think they were pretty happy with the decision." He didn’t blame the fans. "I’ve had American friends message me, apologizing. Saying they’re ashamed. That means more than any trophy." But he didn’t sugarcoat it. "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."The Ripple Effect
The fallout is already spreading. European broadcasters are reconsidering future broadcast deals. Some sponsors have quietly paused sponsorship of PGA events. And in the U.S., golf fans are divided — some defending the tradition of "home-field advantage," others calling it a line crossed. "This isn’t just about golf," said Dr. Eleanor Voss, a sports sociologist at the University of Edinburgh. "It’s about what we allow in the name of competition. The Ryder Cup was built on mutual respect. When that erodes, the whole thing becomes performative." Fitzpatrick’s 2025 season ended on a high note — winning the DP World Tour Championship in a playoff over McIlroy. But he’s not celebrating the trophy. He’s thinking about the people who weren’t there. "My dad always says, ‘Golf’s a game. But people are what matter.’ I think he was right," Fitzpatrick said. "I’m proud of what we did. But I’m even prouder of how we handled it."What’s Next?
The 46th Ryder Cup heads to Rome in 2027. Europe will be favorites. But will the U.S. team — and the PGA — learn from this? Or will the same tensions return? For now, Fitzpatrick is taking a break. He’ll be in Sheffield, with his parents, watching the snow fall. No cameras. No crowds. Just quiet.Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Matt Fitzpatrick’s parents skip the 2025 Ryder Cup?
Fitzpatrick’s parents, Martin and Susan, chose not to attend the 2025 event at Whistling Straits due to the hostile fan behavior they witnessed during the 2021 Ryder Cup at the same venue. They were deeply disturbed by racial slurs and abusive chants directed at European players, and decided the emotional toll outweighed the pride of seeing their son compete. Fitzpatrick confirmed they monitored the event via text updates and were relieved by the decision.
What did PGA President Rea mean by saying Europe only ‘retained’ the cup?
The term ‘retained’ implies Europe merely held onto the cup they won in 2021, rather than winning it outright in 2025. But under Ryder Cup rules, the defending champion retains the cup if the match ends in a 14-14 tie — which didn’t happen. Europe won 15-13, making this an outright victory. Rea’s wording was widely interpreted as dismissive, especially since he didn’t correct it publicly after backlash from European players and fans.
How did Fitzpatrick’s performance in 2025 lead to his Ryder Cup selection?
After falling outside the top 70 in the world rankings before the Masters, Fitzpatrick made 15 consecutive cuts worldwide, recording top-10 finishes at the PGA Championship and The Open, plus five more on the DP World Tour and PGA TOUR. His consistency, mental toughness, and recent win at the DP World Tour Championship — defeating Rory McIlroy in a playoff — made him an undeniable pick for Captain Luke Donald, despite not being in the automatic qualifying spots.
What’s the significance of Fitzpatrick’s 3.5-point record in the Ryder Cup?
Fitzpatrick’s 3.5 points from four appearances (2016, 2018, 2021, 2025) reflect a player who often struggles in singles — he’s 0-3-1 in that format — but delivers in team play. His 2-1-0 record in four-ball and 1-4-0 in foursomes show he thrives with a partner but has difficulty under individual pressure. Still, his 2025 half-point against DeChambeau was arguably the most crucial of his career, helping Europe reach the 14-point threshold to retain the cup — and ultimately win it outright.
Did any other European players respond to Rea’s comments?
Yes. Tyrrell Hatton, who went undefeated (3-0-1) in the 2025 event, publicly criticized Rea’s wording as "unprofessional" and "out of touch." Other players, including Jon Rahm and Viktor Hovland, echoed the sentiment in interviews. The European Tour issued a statement calling for "greater respect in post-event communications," signaling a potential shift in how future Ryder Cups are handled diplomatically.
Will fan behavior at future Ryder Cups change?
The PGA of America has not announced any policy changes, but internal sources say security protocols are being reviewed ahead of the 2027 event in Rome. The backlash over the 2025 incident has pressured the organization to consider fan conduct as seriously as player performance. Some U.S. golf clubs have already begun training volunteers on cultural sensitivity, and several American commentators have called for a new code of conduct — not just to protect players, but to preserve the spirit of the event.
