Matt Fitzpatrick Faces Fan Backlash After Mismanaging Free Relief at 2026 U.S. Open

Round 2 of the 2026 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills presented Matt Fitzpatrick with a prime opportunity to climb the leaderboard—but a misstep on the 12th hole drew significant criticism from fans and commentators alike.

The Incident at Tuckahoe Road

Fitzpatrick’s ball came to rest on Tuckahoe Road, a public street that cuts through the 12th fairway. According to the US Open’s official X account:

“Free relief for Matt Fitzpatrick from Tuckahoe Road, which runs through the 12th fairway. He gets a drop within one club length, no closer to the hole. Play on.”

Under Rule 16.1 of the Rules of Golf, a paved road is an unmovable obstruction. Players are entitled to free relief without penalty, allowing them to drop at the nearest point of complete relief within one club length and no closer to the hole.

Struggles on the Back Nine

Before the relief situation, Fitzpatrick had already faced challenges on the back nine. While he executed a notable recovery from a sandy area on the par-4 sixth hole, consecutive bogeys on the 11th and 12th had already slowed his momentum.

Once on Tuckahoe Road, Fitzpatrick failed to capitalize on the free drop. Fans quickly took to social media, criticizing his approach:

“Matt Fitzpatrick 🏴 had a chance to close the gap and put pressure on Clark. Instead, he hacks up the course and creates a larger gap. Pathetic stuff. #USOpen”

Another fan wrote:

“What in the world is Matt Fitzpatrick doing these last few holes?”

Context from Round 1

Fitzpatrick entered the U.S. Open as one of the hottest players on the PGA Tour, with three wins in his last nine starts and runner-up finishes at The Players Championship and the RBC Canadian Open. Despite that, Round 1 at Shinnecock saw other players, such as Wyndham Clark, seize the early advantage. Clark opened with 3-under 67, while Fitzpatrick’s consistency wavered.

For comparison, Bryson DeChambeau also encountered Tuckahoe Road in Round 1 but managed to convert the relief into a birdie, highlighting the missed opportunity for Fitzpatrick.

Current Standings and Outlook

After Round 2, Fitzpatrick finished at even-par 70, tied for 16th place, six shots behind leader Wyndham Clark, who extended his advantage to 7-under par. While Fitzpatrick eventually found some footing, the incident at the 12th illustrates the pressure of navigating Shinnecock Hills’ challenging layout and the impact of a single mismanaged opportunity.

The weekend will test whether Fitzpatrick can regain momentum and mount a serious charge, but fans will remember the missed chance on the free relief hole as a cautionary moment in his 2026 U.S. Open campaign.