‘Doing what’s best for them’ – Ryder Cup star’s parents skipping Bethpage Black after crowd abuse in Whistling Straits

MATT FITZPATRICK believes he “deserves” to have the chance to improve his nightmare Ryder Cup – but his parents won’t be there to watch.

Fitz, 31, made the Europe team for the fourth time at Bethpage Black but has just one win from his eight previous matches.

Matt Fitzpatrick will be cheered on by his wife Katherine at the Ryder CupGetty

But his parents Russell and Sue are missing the hostile eventGetty Images – Getty

That wretched run included a 0-3 return from Whistling Straits in 2021 in front of a passionate US crowd.

The atmosphere in New York will be on a completely different level, though.

Fitzpatrick’s wife Katherine will walk the course to cheer on her husband, ignoring the warnings of potential vile and personal abuse from the supporters.

But his parents Russell and Susan are not at Bethpage.

The Yorkshireman, though, has no worries about the taunts getting under his thick skin during the heat of battle, responding: “I’m from Sheffield so that’s probably a good start.

“You’ve got to buy into it. I was having a good laugh with some boys, who were telling me, ‘Oh, you’re probably going to be here on Friday.’ I was like, ‘Yeah, you’re probably right!’

“Katherine and I had that conversation, and she said that, it doesn’t matter, she’ll be out there whatever, it really doesn’t matter. She said she’s not going to be affected at all.

“My parents didn’t have a great experience in Whistling Straits but the other thing is, they’re both playing next week in the Dunhill Links.

“They also didn’t really want to ruin that special experience.

“It’s a combination. It’s a lot of travel. It’s obviously a busy week. It’s a tiring week.

“They obviously want to have a nice week next week with me and my brother. No denying that they had a bad experience in the past, but there’s no reason why it has to be like that this time.

“Obviously I’ll miss them but I know that they are doing what’s best for them, and that’s what’s important.”

Fitzpatrick made his Ryder Cup debut aged just 22 and went 0-2 at Hazeltine in 2016 before that harrowing week at Whistling Straits.

The 2022 US Open winner teamed up with Rory McIlroy to beat Collin Morikawa and Xander Schauffele 5&3 in the Friday afternoon fourballs in Rome and eventually secure that first point – before they lost on Saturday and he went down to Max Homa in the singles.

There were question marks over whether captain Luke Donald would pick him this time around.

But then came an upturn in form this summer which saw top-ten finishes at the PGA Championship, Scottish Open, The Open, British Masters, European Masters AND the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.

And Fitzpatrick insisted the 1-7 numbers do not tell his full Ryder Cup story.

He added: “In 2016, I would openly admit I wasn’t ready for that one.

“I had not really played any real golf in the States so I feel like I throw that one out the window a little bit.

“In 2021, I actually felt like I played really well and deserved more than what I got out of that one. Rome was probably the same thing.

“It’s obviously frustrating, but all I can do is keep qualifying for the teams and keep giving myself the opportunity to improve on the record.

“Of course [not getting picked] it goes through your mind. I believed in myself and I believed in the form I had shown from May.

“I wasn’t necessarily thinking I was guaranteed a spot but I felt like I thoroughly deserved to be in the conversation, given how well I had played to the point of selection.”

Fitzpatrick will play in the second foursomes match on Friday morning alongside Ludvig Aberg.

They are up against world No1 Scottie Scheffler and Russell Henley – after a blockbuster opening tie between Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton vs Bryson DeChambeau and Justin Thomas.

GettyFitzpatrick played his way into the team with a strong summer[/caption] Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]