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Matt Fitzpatrick defeated Scottie Scheffler in a playoff at the RBC Heritage this weekend in what became a road match for him.
The crowd in Hilton Head, South Carolina, quickly turned to Scheffler, a Texan, to complete the comeback against the English-born Fitzpatrick.
Chants of “USA” rang out, which upset 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 in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, April 19, 2026. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
“I played in the RBC Classic…and I couldn’t believe the 18th hole when Scottie Scheffler was making a comeback against Matt Fitzpatrick. Did anyone see the crowd?” Russo began his “What Are You Mad About” segment on Wednesday’s edition of ESPN’s “First Take.”
“They were chanting ‘USA, USA’ as they marched down the 18th fairway! This isn’t the Ryder Cup. We’re not fighting Britain in a war for crying out loud! In a golf tournament? At the RBC? [Fitzpatrick] Damn lives in Miami!.. This is not the 80 Olympics!
Scheffler and Fitzpatrick have both played in each of the previous three Ryder Cups, with Fitzpatrick’s European team winning the last two. Fitzpatrick and Scheffler faced off Friday as a foursome in the most recent event.
Scottie Scheffler of Team USA and Matt Fitzpatrick of Team Europe shake hands on the 15th green during Friday morning foursomes matches of the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage State Park Golf Course in Farmingdale, New York, September 26, 2025. (Ben Jared/PGA Tour)
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This is not the first time American chants have been heard at a regularly sanctioned golf event. The aforementioned DeChambeau heard American chants as he competed in his second US Open against McIlroy. Scheffler went 1-4 in his five matches at Bethpage Black in September, beating Rory McIlroy 1 in their Sunday singles match. Fitzpatrick squandered a 5-point lead on Bryson DeChambeau to finish in a tie.
The New York Ryder Cup crowd was criticized by the media and golfers, which was already a concern before the event. However, these criticisms came from more than just American chants.
McIlroy has been hit with the worst, whether it’s telling him his wife is “a four,” asking him about Amanda Balionis in the middle of a previously rumored fling (with his wife just feet away), dropping F-bombs or constant reminders of the 2024 U.S. Open at No. 2 Pinehurst.
Chris “Mad Dog” Russo speaks on stage at SiriusXM’s Bar A at The Jersey Shore in Lake Como, NJ on July 26, 2024. (Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for SiriusXM)
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Luckily for Fitzpatrick, he wasn’t hit that hard. But the crowd still made it clear who they supported.
