Mark Fulcher, the long-time caddie of Justin Rose, has strongly criticised the pricing for the 2027 Ryder Cup at Adare Manor, describing the cost of attendance as excessive and disappointing for ordinary supporters.
Fulcher, known widely in golf circles as “Fooch”, reacted after organisers confirmed that matchday tickets for the event in Ireland will be priced at €499 each. He argued that such high costs threaten to shut out the loyal fans who have long been a vital part of the Ryder Cup atmosphere.
In a post on Instagram, Fulcher said it was disheartening to see ticket prices reach what he viewed as unreasonable levels. Having experienced several Ryder Cups first-hand, he said the support from fans has always been one of the event’s defining features, but warned that modern sport increasingly seems to be pushing genuine supporters to the margins.
He later reinforced his point in response to a social media post from GolfMagic, noting that tickets are now roughly double the price of those for the 2023 Ryder Cup in Italy. In his view, that sharp increase reflects poorly on the event and its organisers.
The €499 charge makes the 2027 tournament the most expensive Ryder Cup ever held in Europe. By comparison, tickets for the 2023 contest in Rome were priced at €250. Although that still remains below the $750 ticket cost for the 2025 edition at Bethpage Black in the United States, the increase is substantial for European fans.
Despite his criticism away from the course, Fulcher is still expected to be involved in the event. He has worked alongside Rose since 2008 and has already been part of five Ryder Cups, with hopes of adding a sixth appearance in 2027.
Over the years, Fulcher has been closely involved in many of Rose’s biggest career achievements, including victory at the 2013 U.S. Open, Olympic gold in Rio in 2016, and the 2018 FedEx Cup triumph, which also helped Rose rise to world number one. After heart surgery in 2019, Fulcher returned to caddying and was back on the bag for Europe’s Ryder Cup wins in 2023 and 2025.
Most recently, the pair celebrated another success when Rose claimed his second Farmers Insurance Open title in February. They also came close to capturing a Masters title earlier this month, with Rose holding the lead deep into the final round before eventually finishing tied for third, two shots behind Rory McIlroy.
While debate over ticket pricing has continued, organisers have emphasised that the 2027 Ryder Cup will offer an expanded and memorable fan experience. The tournament will mark the 100th anniversary of the competition and only the second time it has been staged in Ireland, the first being at The K Club in 2006.
Plans for Adare Manor include major spectator facilities, such as 20,000 grandstand seats, more large screens around the course, and an on-site campsite intended to create a festival-style atmosphere for the week.
Irish fans will receive some priority, with residents of the island of Ireland able to access tickets first from 11am BST on Friday 24 April. A limited number of general admission tickets for the three competition days will be sold at €499, while practice-day entry will begin at €89, rising to €179 for Thursday’s opening ceremony. Tickets for under-16s on practice days will start at €20.
A worldwide ballot for remaining tickets is scheduled to open on Wednesday 3 June, although demand is widely expected to exceed availability.
Beyond the ticket controversy, the sporting significance of the event is also considerable. Europe, led again by captain Luke Donald, will be aiming for a third straight Ryder Cup victory — something the team has never achieved before. The United States, meanwhile, have yet to announce their captain after Tiger Woods ruled himself out of consideration.
As excitement grows ahead of what should be a landmark occasion at Adare Manor, Fulcher’s outspoken criticism has added fresh energy to the conversation around affordability, raising concerns over whether a historic Ryder Cup could become out of reach for many of the fans who give it its character.
