Fitzpatrick, who won the 2022 US Open in Brookline, will be back in action at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland this weekend, with fellow European team members Hatton, Tommy Fleetwood and Robert MacIntyre.
The Englishman was left less than impressed by the fallout from Bethpage.
“I saw the interview with the PGA guy discussing how it was the same in Rome. It is pretty offensive to European fans, the fact that he said that, really,” Fitzpatrick told reporters yesterday.
Rory McIlroy shows his joy after sinking a putt. Photo / Getty Images
Fitzpatrick claimed the hostility included Rea, whom he accused of insincerity during the trophy presentation.
“I don’t want to speak on behalf of everyone, but we did feel there was a little bit of bitterness when they presented the trophy there and shook hands,” he said.
“Me and Rosey [Justin Rose] both looked at each other as if to say, ‘That wasn’t a very heartfelt congratulations’ – and he said we only retained it, but actually we won it.”
Fitzpatrick said an apology from USA team chiefs for the rowdy fan behaviour would be appropriate.
“I wouldn’t say we were looking for an apology, but I would say it’s understandable that they would apologise,” he said.
“I have had a number of friends who are American send messages, texts, all sorts, apologising 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.”
– AFP