“I haven’t heard some of that, and I’m sure it has happened… Rory understands.” That’s what Don Rea said when he was asked about the abuse Rory McIlroy faced at Bethpage. The PGA of America President was not as eager to discuss the problems at Bethpage during the 2025 Ryder Cup. Perhaps, he was also a bit bitter about Europe’s dominance on American soil. At least that is what Matt Fitzpatrick felt when he shook hands with the PGA of America leader during the trophy ceremony.

After defeating Team U.S., Rea was set to present the Ryder Cup to Luke Donald & Co. However, Fitzpatrick told reporters during the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship press conference that he wasn’t happy with the response from the PGA of America leader about the heckling at Bethpage, finding it disingenuous: “I guess they are apologizing on behalf of the fans. Like I say, I saw those comments about the – I saw the interview with the PGA guy discussing it was the same in Rome. It’s pretty offensive to European fans the fact that he said that, really.”

The spectators in Rome weren’t nearly as rowdy as those in New York. In fact, most of the drama in 2023 revolved around Patrick Cantlay, his caddie, and Rory McIlroy. Keegan Bradley had also made similar comments about Rome being chaotic for the American pros. But Tyrrell Hatton was quick to shut down both Rea & Bradley recently. However, Fitzpatrick believes there is a whole other reason the PGA of America President was acting strangely.

“You know, I don’t want to speak on behalf of everyone, but we did feel there was a little bit of bitterness when we got to the — when they presented the trophy there and shook their happened. I think it was — they can’t control what comes out of everyone’s mouth, there’s no doubt about it,” said Fitzpatrick, suggesting that Rea was bitter about Team U.S.’s loss and how much scrutiny Bethpage had received.

The PGA of America President still chose to blatantly ignore all the backlash New York had received, and the netizens ended up criticizing him for it. But that’s not all Fitzpatrick had to say about Rea.

“I wouldn’t say we were looking for an apology, but I would say it’s understandable that they would apologise. I’ve had a number of friends who are American send messages, texts, all sorts, apologizing for the fans and saying really sorry that you had to deal with that stuff. But we knew what we were going to deal with going in. Luke and the team did such an amazing job with that; you overprepared so that, actually, when you got there, we expected this anyway. So it wasn’t an issue.”

Luke Donald and his team had already anticipated that the squad would face such issues at Bethpage. So they had helped them desensitize against the abuse by providing VR headsets that would virtually prepare them for what’s about to come. And as Fitzpatrick credited the captain’s strategy, that certainly helped the team cope with the abuse they faced at Bethpage.

Speaking specifically about the bitterness, one of the reporters clarified where it came from. Fitzpatrick confirmed, “Well, the CEO of The PGA of America obviously, Me and Rosey both looked at each other as if to say, That wasn’t a very heartfelt congratulations, I know that. And he said we only retained it, but actually we won it, so…” Accepting that Team U.S. lost on home soil must have been hard to digest for Rea. But his behavior towards the Europeans, who are essentially guests of the PGA of America, certainly doesn’t reflect well on him. And it’s certain that Team Europe did win and not just retain the Ryder Cup. They defeated the U.S. 15-13.

But then again, Matt Fitzpatrick & Team Europe also had fitting responses to the Americans. And they expressed themselves in multiple ways after taking home the trophy. Let’s see what Luke Donald’s squad has been up to since winning the 2025 Ryder Cup.

Matt Fitzpatrick & Co. let Team U.S. know who’s the winner!

The biggest conversation brewing before the start of the 2025 Ryder Cup was Rory McIlroy’s rivalry with Bryson DeChambeau. Unfortunately, the two didn’t lock horns at Bethpage. However, the Irishman did get the upper hand by beating the LIV Golf pro’s team on their home soil. And Matt Fitzpatrick helped McIlroy bring that to DeChambeau’s attention by covering his name on the stage with the European flag.

McIlroy was also the instigator behind asking President Donald Trump if he was watching Team Europe’s celebration. The team was also seen singing their own iteration of Zombie by The Cranberries in their team bus, but instead their lyrics go like, “He’s in your head, in your head, Rory, Rory!” That’s probably the best way they could have chosen to respond to all the bitterness coming from the Americans.