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Matt Fitzpatrick edged Scottie Scheffler in a playoff at the RBC Heritage this weekend in what became a road game for him.
The crowd in Hilton Head, South Carolina, quickly drew in Scheffler, a Texan, to complete the comeback over Fitzpatrick, who was born in England.
Chants of “USA” were heard, irritating broadcasting legend Chris “Mad Dog” Russo.
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Matthew Fitzpatrick of England is congratulated by Scottie Scheffler of the United States after winning the RBC Heritage at Harbor Town Golf Links on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, on April 19, 2026. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
“I played the RBC Classic… and couldn’t believe the 18th hole when Scottie Scheffler was coming back against Matt Fitzpatrick. Did anyone see the crowd?” Russo began his segment “Why are you angry?” on Wednesday’s edition of ESPN’s “First Take.”
“They were chanting ‘USA, USA’ walking down the 18th fairway! This isn’t the Ryder Cup. We’re not going to fight Great Britain in a war for crying out loud! At a golf tournament? At the RBC? [Fitzpatrick] Damn lives in Miami!… These are not the ’80 Olympic Games!
Scheffler and Fitzpatrick have starred in each of the previous three Ryder Cups, with Fitzpatrick’s European team winning the last two. Fitzpatrick and Scheffler faced each other Friday in foursomes in the most recent event.
Scottie Scheffler of Team USA and Matt Fitzpatrick of Team Europe shake hands on the 15th green during the Friday morning foursomes of the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage State Park Golf Course in Farmingdale, New York, on September 26, 2025. (Ben Jared/PGA Tour)
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It’s not the first time American chants have been heard at a regularly sanctioned golf event. The aforementioned DeChambeau heard USA chants as he sought his second US Open against McIlroy. Scheffler went 1-4 in his five matches at Bethpage Black in September, beating Rory McIlroy 1 in his singles match on Sunday. Fitzpatrick blew a 5-up lead from Bryson DeChambeau to finish tied.
The New York Ryder Cup crowd was criticized by both the media and golfers, which had been a concern even before the event. However, those criticisms were due to much more than just American chants.
McIlroy was hit with the worst, whether it was telling him his wife was “a four,” asking him about Amanda Balionis in the midst of a previously rumored affair (with his wife just feet away), dropping F-bombs or constant reminders of the 2024 US Open at Pinehurst No. 2.
Chris “Mad Dog” Russo speaks onstage at SiriusXM’s Bar A at The Jersey Shore in Lake Como, New Jersey, on July 26, 2024. (Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for SiriusXM)
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Fortunately for Fitzpatrick, he wasn’t hit as hard. But the crowd still made it known who they supported.
