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Paul Lawrie was amongst those disappointed by the European fans who booed American players on the first tee at Le Golf National this morning.

The 1999 Open champion – who played in the match in 1999 and 2012 – took to Twitter to voice his disapproval of the unsportsmanlike behaviour that greeted both the arrival and formal introduction of most US players.

Don't like the booing of American players #noneed
— Paul Lawrie (@PaulLawriegolf) September 28, 2018

Former BMW PGA champion Simon Khan and English cricket legend Ian Botham were equally unimpressed.

We all want a a European win but if you’re going to watch stop booing American players please
— Simon Khan (@simonkhangolf) September 28, 2018

What a magnificent opening to one of the great sporting events the “Ryder Cup” !!
Do we need the childish “Booing” by a section of the crowd on the 1st tee...no we are better than that ...!!
— BeefyBotham (@BeefyBotham) September 28, 2018

For the most part, other Twitter users seemed to be of the opinion that the booing was out of order.

https://twitter.com/VillaMad3/status/1045557499125002240

You can build a superb stadiumesque First Tee for @rydercup but you can't build atmosphere. The booing of the Americans is not on and isn't how real golf fans should behave. #rydercup
— Tom Kennedy (@TomKGolf) September 28, 2018

Booing US players' introductions at Ryder Cup opening ceremony is boorish and indefensible. European crowd behaving in the way we criticise US crowds for. Hope rest of event is not soured like this.
— Craig Murray (@CraigMurrayOrg) September 27, 2018

I don’t like that booing of USA on the first tee. That’s not what Ryder Cup is about. Cheer your team, don’t boo the opposition. #RyderCupEurope #RyderCup
— Michael (@McGivern2010) September 28, 2018

Poor from the crowd booing the US players #RyderCup
— Tim Lloyd (@Tim_Lloyd1) September 28, 2018

Incredible setting, awesome atmosphere....but all the booing? Unpleasant and unnecessary IMHO! #TeamEurope #RyderCup #GoTeamEurope 🇪🇺
— Alison Kelly (@alisonmckelly) September 28, 2018

#rydercup No need for the booing on the first tee when USA players are introduced. DISGRACEFUL
— Mike Waite (@SpongeWaite) September 28, 2018

Please, no booing. Just cheer for Europe. Embarrassing to hear. #rydercup
— Chris Stratford (@ChrisJStratford) September 28, 2018

However, some people took the opposite view…

This your first time watching Ryder Cup?! Booing is gentle banter if this was in America they would shout while European players hit the ball!! #spanktheyanks
— Charlotte Jones (@PrincessChar181) September 28, 2018

I’m all for this booing of the yanks! #RyderCup
— Jon Bell (@jonbell84) September 28, 2018

The booing from fans should be at every golf tournament #RyderCup
— Kevin (@kevintheriddle) September 28, 2018

https://twitter.com/melbourne88/status/1045565439689068545

The first tee booing – your thoughts

What do you think about the booing of opposition players at the Ryder Cup: fair enough or not on? Leave your thoughts in our Comments section below.

Further Ryder Cup reading

• How much a day at the 2018 Ryder Cup will cost you

• The most glam photos from the Ryder Cup Gala Dinner

• “Balls of steel” – Craig Connelly recalls Martin Kaymer’s Medinah heroics

topics

Ryder Cup 2018 Ryder Cup fan behaviour Le Golf National Team Europe Team USA Paul Lawrie Simon Khan Twitter

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor