Skip to content

Andrew Coltart reflects on the ill-timed Pete Willett article ahead of the Ryder Cup

Europe's Danny Willett (left) chats with captain Darren Clarke (right) during a practice session ahead of the 41st Ryder Cup at Hazeltine

Andrew Coltart is amazed at the ill-timed article written by Danny Willett's brother ahead of the Ryder Cup, and fears it will have an adverse effect on the European team...

Nobody can comprehend the sheer scale of a Ryder Cup until you've played in it, and that's when you fully understand what it's all about. But that does not, in any way, excuse Danny Willett's brother for what he has written.

It is hard enough for the players to produce their best golf in this event and this kind of distraction just makes it harder, particularly when someone has caused offence to the home players and fans.

Danny Willet of Great Britain gestures during a practice round ahead of 41st Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National Golf Course in Chaska, Minnesota, September 28
Image: Danny Willett's brother has caused a stir with a magazine article that was abusive to US fans

And, given what's happened, it's even more difficult when the Ryder Cup is over here. The timing of this article is incredible, just a few days before we get started.

Pete Willett clearly has no idea of the effect his comments will have on the American team, and the American crowd, and did he give any thought to how this would affect Danny, and the whole European team?

Watch the Ryder Cup on NOW TV
Watch the Ryder Cup on NOW TV

Get a NOW TV Week Pass for £10.99. No contract.

The last thing we want this week is a hostile atmosphere, and I speak from experience as I was in the European team at Brookline in 1999, and we didn't give them any reason to be abusive!

Danny was out there today, and he seemed to have good support from outside the ropes. But when the event kicks off on Friday, and it's "us against them", the 13th man for the Americans becomes so important.

Also See:

Danny Willet of Great Britain looks at his ball prior to putting during a practice round ahead of 41st Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National Golf Course in Chask
Image: Willett issued an apology to Davis Love III and his team

They traditionally make it uncomfortable for the European players, but this has just added fuel to an already-raging fire.

Danny has handled it well and did the right thing in apologising personally to Davis Love III, his players and Americans in general.

Let's just hope we don't see a repeat of what happened in Brookline, where some of the abuse was quite shocking and directed at, not only the players, but their partners and families as well.

Danny Willett was well received by the fans on Wednesday, but it could be a different story on Friday
Image: Willett was well received by the fans on Wednesday, but it could be a different story on Friday

When we were inside the ropes, we were actually sheltered from it in a way, but there were a lot of nasty, pointed and direct comments. We'll probably see that a little this week I would imagine.

There will almost certainly be a few home fans who will struggle to keep it all in, and they will do their best to make sure the European players can hear them.

Watch every minute of the Ryder Cup, plus Premier League football and the Malaysia Grand Prix on Sky Sports. Upgrade now and enjoy three months at half price!

Around Sky