Hunter Mahan urges fans to lay off Willett

• Hunter Mahan urges US fans to lay off Danny Willett
• Englishman received a hostile reception on first tee
• He played well despite losing 5&4 with Martin Kaymer

Three-time Ryder Cup player Hunter Mahan has urged US golf fans to lay off Danny Willett after the Englishman received a hostile reception on the first tee.

Willett, whose brother slammed American fans in an article earlier this week, was reportedly due to be partnering Lee Westwood in the morning foursomes – only for captain Darren Clarke to hold him back until the afternoon fourballs and replace him with Thomas Pieters.

And, as he arrived to make his Ryder Cup debut to a chorus of “Dan-ny’s bro-ther” and a handful of boos, Hunter Mahan sympathised with the situation the Masters champion had been placed in and encouraged fans to stop.

Read more -> Darren Clarke explains Willett decision

The fans need to control themselves and take it easy on Willett, he’s a good dude. Shouldn’t be punished for someone else’s mistakes.

— Hunter Mahan (@HunterMahan) September 30, 2016

Not that it seemed to bother him, however, as he rolled in this for a birdie at the first hole.

The Masters champion introduces himself to The Ryder Cup.#TeamEurope https://t.co/OqllwbKxKC

— Ryder Cup Team EUR (@RyderCupEurope) September 30, 2016

But it emerged, later on, that US vice-captain Bubba Watson had to have words with some US spectators to get them to stop jeering Willett.

Bubba Watson having a word with those heckling @Danny_Willett at the moment. Love Willett’s attitude. Just gets on with it #RyderCup

— Dan Walker (@mrdanwalker) September 30, 2016

Willett and Kaymer lost their match 5&4 to Brandt Snedeker and Brooks Koepka, but the Englishman posted the hole score for the duo in 11 of the 14 holes they played.

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Hunter Mahan :: Danny Willett abuse

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