Former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen has said the poor US crowd behaviour at the Ryder Cup “pales into significance” compared to the abuse he received when playing Ashes series in Australia.
Pietersen, who experienced incredible highs and lows across his three Test tours of Australia as England’s 3-1 victory in 2010/11 was bookended by 5-0 series whitewashes in 2006/07 and 2013/14, was asked by Sky Sports News his thought on the antics of Ryder Cup patrons in New York ahead of playing in this week’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship pro-am in Scotland.
Rory McIlroy was subjected to the brunt of the personal, homophobic, sexist and xenophobic attacks directed at European players, as well as their families, at Bethpage Black.
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The situation got so hostile that state troopers were called to the golf course to create a human barrier between players and spectators, and throw out offenders.
McIlroy condemned the actions of the US spectators, many of whom paid more than $1000 for their tickets, during team Europe’s press conference on the final evening, while American great Tom Watson was so disgusted that he issued a public apology on behalf of his country.
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But Pietersen said all of that was a smidgen of the abuse he received while patrolling outfields at the Gabba, Adelaide Oval, WACA, MCG and SCG.
“I’ve played in some hostile environments in Australia,” Pietersen told Sky Sports News.
“I can relay some stories, which I won’t do, which were so bad. That’s sport, it is what it is.
“I know it’s not the game of golf, and I get it, and I understand it, but for one week of the year, it is what it is.
“These guys are there, they’re fiercely competitive, they want to try to back their team, they’re playing for their country.
“I’ve had some pretty dark experiences in Australia playing for England. From what I saw, some of it pales into significance when compared to some of the things I’ve heard when playing in Australia.
“You just understand it and you accept it and you get on with it.
“McIlroy reacts the way McIlroy reacted, and it’s amazing. It’s great for the sport, it’s great for that event.
“But it’s just a week of the year that just gets everybody gripped into the game.
“We all were, we all loved it, and they all live happily ever after. Monday morning, they’ll all be friends again, and everything’s good.”
LONDON, ENGLAND – JUNE 13: Kevin Pietersen, former England international cricket player, speaks during an interview on day three of the ICC World Test Championship Final 2025 between South Africa anf Australia at Lord’s Cricket Ground on June 13, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
The South African-born, polarising batter boasted an impressive Test record in Australia, scoring 1,144 runs at 45.76 across 15 Tests, including two centuries and a mammoth 227 in Adelaide in 2010, despite being a regular target of Australian crowds.
He was a target for English supporters too by his final tour as he never played Test cricket again for his adopted nation after the disastrous 2013/14 series for the tourists.
Pietersen was said to fallout with many of his teammates, as well as the English coaching staff, on that tour with dressing room angst the final straw after multiple indiscretions throughout his international career.
The English Cricket Board said they needed to rebuild “team ethic and philosophy” when announcing Pietersen’s axing shortly after the final Test in Sydney.
He had been the leading run scorer in a difficult series for English batters courtesy of Mitchell Johnson’s rampaging 37 wicket haul across the five Test.
The now 45-year-old went on to play four seasons for the Melbourne Stars in the BBL post his England career.
ST ANDREWS, SCOTLAND – SEPTEMBER 30: Former cricketer Kevin Pietersen plays a practice round at Kingsbarns prior to the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship 2025 at The Old Course on September 30, 2025 in St Andrews, Scotland. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Pietersen will partner German professional golfer Yannik Paul in this week’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship played across famed Scottish links courses St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns.
Other notable sporting names taking part in the renowned DP World Tour event include:
Fox Cricket’s Michael Vaughan, who is paired with Australian PGA champion Elvis Smylie.
Ice hockey legend Wayne Gretzky, playing with his son-in-law Dustin Johnson.
Tennis great Andy Murray, partnering English golfer Eddie Pepperell.
Surfing legend Kelly Slater, alongside 2012 Ryder Cup winner Nicolas Colsaerts.
