EUROPE’S PLAYERS ARE braced for a hostile atmosphere when they attempt to retain the Ryder Cup against the United States at Whistling Straits.
Yet based on what England’s Matt Fitzpatrick experienced during the last away contest at Hazeltine in 2016, things may not be as bad as everyone is expecting.
“It was difficult last time,” Fitzpatrick, who at 22 was the youngest player on either side five years ago, told the PA news agency.
“I only played a foursomes and a singles match. Of course I would have liked to play more, everybody would, and I never really felt like I experienced it in full.
“I was playing with Henrik Stenson, one of the most likeable guys out here, for one. And I didn’t really get too much abuse. I got ‘Did your mum cut your hair?’ and ‘Does your mum cut the crust off your sandwiches?’
“For me it was fine, but I know for other people it was much worse.”
One spectator was indeed ejected from the course for shouting abuse at Rory McIlroy, while reigning Masters champion Danny Willett was a particular target for the galleries after his brother’s ill-advised magazine article before play got under way labelling them a “baying mob of imbeciles”.
The United States went on to whitewash Europe in the opening morning’s foursomes and, although the visitors won five and a half of the next eight available points, they eventually suffered a comprehensive 17-11 defeat.
Six of the last seven Ryder Cups have been won by the home side – with the 2012 ‘Miracle at Medinah’ the sole exception – but Europe’s male players can take heart from the way their female counterparts overcame a similar lack of on-site support to win the Solheim Cup in Toledo earlier this month.
“That’s the disappointing thing, that the US aren’t allowing fans in – well I say fans, they just aren’t allowing people in in general from the UK and EU,” Fitzpatrick added.
It’s going to be pretty one-sided. It always is, home or away, but it would have been nice to have a few of our own in there.
“But I think that’s what makes it more fun, if I’m honest. You’ve got to put up with that as well and it makes it more exciting, in my opinion. In a way I prefer to play under the hostility.
“It’s an added pressure, an added motivation to try to play well.”
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I think bringing Sexton before the NZ game was a bad idea. Im all for him helping the 10’s develop for international games but it’s easy to imagine that in addition to wanting revenge for the WC there was a subconscious need to avenge Johnny, which would’ve put undue pressure on everyone—just like how the QF was potentially Sexton’s last ever game was probably a massive distraction. Now I’m just an armchair pundit so waffling out of my thoin but the team looked not only physically rusty but mentally defeated. Anyway, wouldn’t be surprised if the pumas beat us. I think 25 will be the year for blooding new players with Andy away
@J M: Why is it always Sextons fault ? His selection hindered the development of younger outhalves. This was the same year he was awarded World Player. So Crowley is having second album woes, and Frawley is not the golden child because of Sexton. Jeese
@Rugbyanbeer: I just think the timing could’ve been better, maybe next year’s 6N. Or perhaps if we had’ve been playing nz last.
I’d love Sexton to get into coaching if that’s what he wanted
@J M: To pin the blame on Sexton for the reasons you’ve outlined is complete and utter nonsense quite frankly.
Watching both Argentina and Australia last weekend, the Irish team will need to box clever. They can run the ball back from anywhere on the pitch – so poor kicking and falling off tackles (an ongoing problem for this group), will be devastating. I presume that Beirne will go back into second row, Ryan to the bench and an alternative 6 promoted. That player needs to have pace and a solid tackling game.
It seems that Aki is going to be dropped (why?) in favour of Henshaw. Can’t afford to lose this one, given that World Cup draw rankings are at stake.
@PatN: Can only see Osborne replacing Aki, with Aki on the bench or vice versa. Aki is still very strong and a key contributor to this team. Last week’s bench needs to be refreshed with younger talent.