Ryder Cup: Willett Agrees With Brother About American Fans
After a week of poor play at the Ryder Cup, European golfer Danny Willett wound up agreeing with his brother’s disparaging statements about the American galleries.
This year’s Ryder Cup was another great one, with Team USA lifting the cup in victory for the first time since 2008. After the event, however, reigning Masters champion Danny Willett said he agreed with his brother P.J., who bashed American fans in a piece for the National Club Golfer.
At first, Willett thought his brother’s article was unnecessary, but after the Ryder Cup rookie got his first taste of the electricity of the event, he changed his mind slightly. He agreed with his brother that “some” of the American fans were bad, but did mention that there were a ton of great ones too.
Here are a couple of tweets:
Very strange week here at the Ryder cup.. Tried my best but played poorly.. Unfortunately some american fans showed that @P_J_Willett was..
— Danny Willett (@Danny_Willett) October 3, 2016
.. In fact correct.. Nothing to blame my bad play on.. But still shows that sometimes fans don't know when to call it a day.. Shame really!!
— Danny Willett (@Danny_Willett) October 3, 2016
He also responded to a follower to clarify that he wasn’t criticizing all American fans. He mentioned how most were great, but there were a few that were a little ridiculous.
What’s more, Willett didn’t play too well in his first appearance. That poor performance, combined with the hackling fans, had to have cast a gray cloud over his Ryder Cup experience.
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Personally, I didn’t find his brother’s piece to be offensive, because it was aimed at a broad audience. If it were aimed towards one specific person, then that one man or woman would feel horrible.
But since it wasn’t directed to any particular one of us, it’s less offensive in my eyes. Plus, it was funny, and it just fueled the Ryder Cup excitement even more.
Let’s face it: if it doesn’t offend us personally, then we don’t care. Certainly, the people who do the kinds of things that Willett’s brother talked about should feel some shame, but not all Americans.
We live in a selfish society at times. If we don’t do any of the things that P.J. Willett mentioned, then we simply won’t care, or even remotely acknowledge those who are offended.
Plus, without getting too political, his brother was kind of right. That’s why it was so funny, because as I was reading, I found myself nodding my head in agreement.
Overall, it was all in good fun. I’m just saying all of these things so that people understand, and don’t get too offended about it.
After all, it’s the Ryder Cup. The rivalry between the two great teams is why it’s such a unique event.
On another fun note, here’s what Danny Willett had to say about his experience at his first Ryder Cup (Warning: contains foul language):
Brutal honesty from @Danny_Willett in the post @RyderCupEurope presser. #RyderCup #TeamEurope #GoUSA pic.twitter.com/6hTXwCzMZ4
— Richard Maspero (@richardmaspero) October 3, 2016
I’m not sure what I enjoyed more — the stare and motions he was making, or his beautiful one-word answer. I’ll tell you what, though: the word he used is likely one that we all say when we hit the links.
Next: Ryder Cup Report Card: Team Europe
What do you think: do the Willett brothers have a point about the American crowds? Let us know in the comments and keep it here at Pro Golf Now for more news updates.