The 45th Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black was meant to be a celebration of golf’s fiercest rivalry. Instead, for Team Europe, it felt more like a matter of survival.
While they lifted the trophy with a 15-13 win, marking their fifth triumph on American soil, the emotional toll of three days of relentless abuse from USA fans and a delayed apology from the PGA of America left scars that no scoreboard could erase.
After Luke Donald’s team won, PGA of America President Don Rea Jr. downplayed the severity of the abuse against Team Europe. In a BBC Sport interview on Sept. 28, he claimed he hadn’t “heard of that” and suggested similar behaviour might have occurred in Rome.
Later on Tuesday, his LinkedIn post further inflamed tensions when he referenced his 3-year-old article, stating, “The truth is still the truth. New level. New devil. US” All of this combined, including his appearance during the award ceremony when Rea claimed that Europe had “retained” the Ryder Cup instead of winning, drew heavy backlash from netizens.
“It’s pretty offensive to European fans, the fact that he said that,” reacted European player Matt Fitzpatrick at a recent press conference after listening to the statements.
As a result, on Thursday, Rea issued a formal apology in an email to more than 30,000 PGA professionals, acknowledging the failure to uphold standards.
“Let me begin with what we must own,” he wrote as quoted by The Associated Press. “While the competition was spirited—especially with the U.S. team’s rally on Sunday afternoon — some fan behavior clearly crossed the line. It was disrespectful, inappropriate, and not representative of who we are as the PGA of America or as PGA of America golf professionals. We condemn that behavior unequivocally.”
PGA CEO Derek Sprague echoed the sentiment on Golf Channel, revealing plans to personally apologize to McIlroy and his wife, Erica, who previously served as a PGA official.
“Rory might have been a target because of how good he is, but the entire European team should not have been subjected to that,” Sprague told Golf Channel. “I feel badly and I plan on apologizing to them.”
McIlroy, who became the center of abuse, described during Sunday’s conference the increased security and warnings issued to spectators by the PGA, but complained the heckling never truly stopped.
Chants of “F*** you Rory!” which were shockingly initiated by a Ryder Cup staffer, echoed through the galleries. Not only this, but Shane Lowry, who walked alongside McIlroy’s wife, Erica, described the harassment towards her as “astonishing.” Reportedly, a drink was thrown at Erica from the crowd, prompting McIlroy to confront fans before being pulled back by an official.
The apology, though late, was a rare moment of vulnerability from one of golf’s governing bodies. “What makes our sport great is that we own our bogeys. We certainly own this one,” the president stated in the email.
“Our CEO Derek Sprague has apologized on our behalf to Erica and Rory McIlroy and to everyone with Ryder Cup Europe. I would also like to personally apologize to them and all of you for not representing our association in the best light with some of my comments in the media during the event.
“While it wasn’t my intention, some of my comments were seen in a negative light which reflects poorly on not only myself but also on the PGA of America and for that I truly apologize.”
Rea closed his letter stating, “God Bless and as always Go U.S.A!”
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