PGA Tour star praises Cameron Young's sportsmanship: "That to me was a huge sign of respect"

Matthew Fitzpatrick has praised Cameron Young for the sportsmanship the golfer displayed at the conclusion of the 2026 Players Championship. 

Last week, the Englishman led by one stroke with two holes remaining at the PGA Tour's flagship event.

But it was the American who ultimately prevailed at, sinking a stunning birdie at the iconic 17th before calmly securing par on the next hole - made possible thanks to the drive of his life - while his rival faltered with a bogey. 

Some have argued that Fitzpatrick wasn't afforded the same opportunity to try and win the $25m tournament as he was pathetically booed by some spectators outside the gallery ropes. 

Fitzpatrick would have been well within his rights to criticise the behaviour, but the Yorkshireman laughed it off, claiming that it was "child's play" compared to what he and the European Ryder Cup team were subjected to six months ago at Bethpage Black. 

The 31-year-old could have been forgiven for making a swift getaway from TPC Sawgrass, but instead he sought out Young's wife Kelsey and his parents David and Barbara to say congratulations. 

"My parents have raised me to be polite and, you know, and kind," Fitzpatrick said. 

"Yeah, it all comes from my parents. The biggest example would be, [when] I won the U.S. Open, my dad ran past me and went to shake hands with Will Zalatoris, you know, to say, obviously, commiserations. 

"I know Will has mentioned that before to me. So, yeah, it comes from my parents, they raised me to be that way."

Young barely showed a flicker of emotion after tapping in the winning putt. 

He took off his cap and acknowledged the crowd. In his winner's news conference, Young stressed he is a happy person but "you're not going to get a whole lot out of me".

Fitzpatrick added: " I think ... I know a lot of people say, 'Oh, Cam didn't really show any emotion as well.'

"I'm sure he probably understood the situation. Obviously I'm right there, it's not like you give a big fist pump and cheer. That to me was a huge sign of respect too. 

"You know, not to be fist pumping in my face or anything like that. So that's another reason why I've got a lot of respect for Cam for not just his play, but just as a person as well. 

"And sharing, you know, two seasons in TGL now we got to know each other a little better. And my brother [Alex] went to college with him, so I know he's a good kid."