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A former European Ryder Cup player has criticised the behaviour of some American fans on the opening day of this year’s match at Whistling Straits.
Ross Fisher, part of Colin Montgomerie’s side that won at Celtic Manor in 2010, was unimpressed with the booing that greeted the European players on the first tee in Wisconsin for the opening morning’s foursomes session.
Due to ongoing international travel restrictions, most European fans have been unable to travel to Wisconsin for the match, making it an overwhelmingly American-supporting crowd.
That resulted in the Euros receiving a hostile reception when they arrived for this morning’s matches, with boos ringing around the first tee amphitheatre.
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Fisher, who won two of his four matches in Wales 11 years ago, was amongst many who were unimpressed by what they heard.
He tweeted: “Shocking etiquette from 1st tee crowd booing Europe. Sure you can be loud, proud and support your players. Don’t recall our fans booing US players #justsaying”
Shocking etiquette from 1st tee crowd Booing Europe. Sure you can be loud,proud and support your players. Don't recall our fans booing US players #justsaying
— Ross Fisher (@RossFisher) September 24, 2021
Many other social media users echoed Fisher’s sentiments…
Really not a fan of Americans booing the European players, just like I wouldn't like it if it was the other way around. #RyderCup
— Ben (@GiallorossiBlue) September 24, 2021
#RyderCup
Booing by the US fans as European team members take to the tee is disgusting!— Evelyn Doak @kaodeve) September 24, 2021
Ryder cup 2021. The European team met with booing in Wisconsin. Disgraceful. pic.twitter.com/JN3zLFyzic
— Torstein Bjelland (@toolava) September 24, 2021
Ryder cup 2021. The European team met with booing in Wisconsin. Disgraceful. pic.twitter.com/JN3zLFyzic
— Torstein Bjelland (@toolava) September 24, 2021
Booing Rahm during he introduction on the first tee was really awful. #RyderCup
— Brett Coughlin (@CoughlinBrett) September 24, 2021
Poor fan behaviour marred the Ryder Cup’s most recent visit to the USA, at Hazeltine in 2016, where several supporters were ejected.
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Home vice-captain Tom Lehman was seen confronting some fans in an attempt to lower the temperature, before the PGA of America was moved to release a statement – displayed on the electronic scoreboards – asking fans to respect the European team.
Earlier this week, US captain Steve Stricker called on his fellow Wisconsinites to be respectful of Padraig Harrington’s side.
“It’s going to be rowdy. It’s going to be loud and pro-USA, obviously so we’re looking forward to that. We need that backing,” he said. “Hazeltine crossed the line at times, which we don’t want to see.
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“It’s a Ryder Cup. These fans have been pent up for a long time and they’re going to come out and get behind their team. It’s going to be loud, and we expect it to be loud, but again, we ask for people not to cross that line and be respectful of both sides.”
It should be noted, some European fans also booed US players at the most recent Ryder Cup at Le Golf National in 2018.
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