Long-standing golf champion, Matt Fitzpatrick, has whipped up a storm in the golfing community with his unabashed criticism of a newly reinstated tree at TPC Sawgrass’ 6th hole. The 2022 U.S. Open champion was overheard during a practice round at The PLAYERS Championship, lamenting the tree’s existence, dubbing it as the “dumbest tree” he had ever encountered.
What makes this tree so significant? The 6th hole at TPC Sawgrass is notorious for its challenge, but the tournament officials decided to up the ante this year by reintroducing an overhanging oak tree, previously removed in 2014. The intent was simple – to further test the golfers’ mental and physical resilience, demanding players to meticulously plan their shots off the tee.
Rick Golfs, a renowned golf content creator, captured Fitzpatrick’s displeasure on camera. The English golfing star, known for his candid views on course designs, was visibly irritated by the tree’s presence. After taking his shot, Fitzpatrick quipped, “If someone could remove it, that would be great.”
Interestingly, the controversial tree was not placed arbitrarily. It was part of Pete Dye’s original design, offering a unique challenge to the players. However, for Fitzpatrick and several others, it’s just another hurdle on an already demanding course.
Fitzpatrick’s disdain for the tree was further fueled by his dismal performance in the opening round. He scored a 6-over 78 in Round 1, leaving him on the brink of being cut off. His game didn’t improve significantly on Friday, effectively leading to his elimination from the tournament.
The 2025 season has been a rocky road for Fitzpatrick so far, with a series of disappointing performances. His recent rant has done little to garner sympathy from fans.
Many fans were quick to criticize Fitzpatrick for his comments. One fan’s retort encapsulated the sentiment perfectly, arguing that golf is a game of adaptability and that the tree’s presence simply necessitates a low tee shot. Another fan took a humorous jab at Fitzpatrick’s elimination, stating that the golfer would not have to worry about the tree over the weekend.
A common refrain among the critiques was the belief that golf is about adjusting to the course and the weather, highlighting the need to adapt rather than complain. The tree, according to them, is not a hurdle but a thought-provoking feature designed to challenge the players intellectually.
The crux of the issue lies in the trajectory of the shot, with the average apex of PGA Tour tee shots being over 100 feet. The branches of the notorious tree forced players to reconsider their strategy, bringing the number down to the 60s. The question then arises – if other players could adapt, why couldn’t Fitzpatrick?
This isn’t the first time Fitzpatrick has aired his grievances about a course. He previously expressed his disdain for the 2023 U.S. Open course at LACC, citing blind tee shots and sloping fairways as major concerns. Fitzpatrick’s candidness may be entertaining, but it’s clear that his criticisms are not shared by all. And while the infamous tree at TPC Sawgrass is here to stay, Fitzpatrick has already exited the tournament.