• Englishman received a hostile reception on first tee
• He played well despite losing 5&4 with Martin Kaymer
HUNTER MAHAN | DANNY WILLETT
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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