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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”

Many other social media users echoed Fisher’s sentiments…

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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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.

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