CHASKA, Minn. — Danny Willett, whose brother penned a scathing article for a golf website that excoriated American golf fans, said Thursday the incident “has put a bit of a downer on my first Ryder Cup for the last couple of days.’’
Willett, the reigning Masters champion playing in his first Ryder Cup, spoke to his brother, Peter, by phone as soon as he was made aware of the embarrassing story Wednesday.
Peter Willett called American fans “pudgy, basement-dwelling irritants,” “the angry, unwashed, Make America Great Again swarm,” and “cretins,” among other insults.
The biggest question raised over this flap is how the issue might affect Willett in terms of reaction from the U.S. fans.
“Obviously, coming to America, you’re already a bit of a target — the European team, the 12 guys,” Willett said.
Willett is not in the lineup for Friday’s foursomes matches, but European captain Darren Clarke made it a point Thursday to say Willett will be playing in a Friday afternoon four-ball match.
“Certainly with regard to Danny, he will be playing [Friday] afternoon,” Clarke said. “Danny is fine. Danny is ready to go. He wants to play. He’s like all the guys. He’s disappointed he’s not playing in the morning, and he understands what I’m trying to do is for the team. There is no individual in our 12. It’s about the team.”
European veteran Lee Westwood, who has been paired with Willett in practice rounds and will likely pair with him Friday afternoon, praised the way he has handled a controversy he did not bring on himself.
Willett signs autographs for fans during practice on Sept. 29.Getty Images“It’s a tricky situation that he’s been put in, one that I’m sure he didn’t want to be placed in,” Westwood said. “But you know, things don’t always run smoothly. He seems to be handling it fairly well. It’s not his opinion, so it’s not really anything to do with him.
“He should be left to just play golf. That’s what the Ryder Cup’s about, 12 players teeing it up playing a golf match against each other. Not all this other stuff.”
Willett was put in a tricky position by his brother’s ill-advised rant, and he had to apologize for something he never said.
“I spoke to Davis [Love III], and he was happy to draw a line under it,” Willett said. “I [also] spoke to some of the American guys [Wednesday] night, and they felt the same way. In an ideal world, the fans would do the same thing, and we won’t let it tarnish the 41st Ryder Cup.’’
Willett conceded, “It’s been pretty tricky for me to get back on and fully focus these last few hours, especially [Friday] morning.
“I’m not saying it’s going to be completely forgotten, but hopefully it’s died down a little bit more and hopefully we can all get on with what we’re here to do.”
