PGA of America president Don Rea delivered one of the more confusing defences you’ll hear of the boorish behaviour of US supporters at this weekend’s Ryder Cup.
A lively home crowd had always been expected in New York, but after a relatively good-natured opening day on Friday, the atmosphere turned hostile on Saturday as Europe surged into a seven-point lead. Over the course of the weekend, European players were subjected to sustained and at times appalling verbal abuse, with Rory McIlroy singled out more than most.
His wife, Erica, was also targeted by sections of the crowd as she followed play around the course. McIlroy’s patience eventually wore thin, leading him to snap and direct a swear word at a spectator who shouted during his pre-shot routine.
“I don’t think we should ever accept that in golf”, the Grand Slam Champion told the press following Europes victory.
“I think golf should be held to a higher standard than what was seen out there this week. Golf has the ability to unite people. Golf teaches you very good life lessons. It teaches you etiquette. It teaches you how to play by the rules. It teaches you how to respect people.”
Speaking to the BBC, ahead of Sunday’s singles, Rea was asked about the increasingly rowdy atmosphere from the American fans and the impact it was having on play. His answer… well, it raised a few eyebrows.
There’s a lot you can say about the fans at Bethpage — but I think it’s worth starting at the source.
When the leader of your org says he hasn’t heard much verbal abuse of Rory McIlroy, perhaps there wasn’t much care about it happening pic.twitter.com/qPYGl7Pcr7
— Sean Zak (@Sean_Zak) September 30, 2025
Rea began by drawing a rather odd comparison between Ryder Cup fans and parents at youth football matches:
“Well you got 50,000 people here they are really excited. If you go to youth a soccer game people say the wrong things.”
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He then tried to make the case that booing actually helps the players before suggesting that it can also be a distraction if the players have to calm the crowd down themselves:
“We tell the fans booing at someone doesn’t make them play worse it makes them play better and when our American players have to control the crowd that distracts them from playing.”
His solution to this apparent problem? Even more cheering.
“So my message today to everybody who is out here is cheer on the Americans like never before coz that will always get them to play better get them out of crowd control.”
Later in the interview, Rea turned his attention to the Rory McIlroy incident on Saturday night. He claimed that these kinds of flashpoints are just part of the Ryder Cup atmosphere, and praised McIlroy for how he handled it:
“I haven’t heard some of that I’m sure it’s happens before in Rome when we are on the other side and Rory understands.”
“I thought he handled the press conference amazingly, but like things like that are going to happen I don’t know what was said but all I know is golf is the engine of good.”
Speaking to the media today ahead of this weekend’s Dunhill Links Championship, Tyrrell Hatton refuted the suggestion that Rome was as rowdy.
Tyrrell Hatton on suggestions the 2023 Ryder Cup crowd was similar to Bethpage.
“I don’t think they were close at all. Rome didn’t come anywhere near that. I don’t agree with what’s been said there.”
— John Turnbull (@JohnTurnbull03) October 1, 2025
PGA of America president Don Rea delivered one of the more confusing defences you’ll hear of the boorish behaviour of US supporters at this weekend’s Ryder Cup.
A lively home crowd had always been expected in New York, but after a relatively good-natured opening day on Friday, the atmosphere turned hostile on Saturday as Europe surged into a seven-point lead. Over the course of the weekend, European players were subjected to sustained and at times appalling verbal abuse, with Rory McIlroy singled out more than most.
His wife, Erica, was also targeted by sections of the crowd as she followed play around the course. McIlroy’s patience eventually wore thin, leading him to snap and direct a swear word at a spectator who shouted during his pre-shot routine.
“I don’t think we should ever accept that in golf”, the Grand Slam Champion told the press following Europes victory.
“I think golf should be held to a higher standard than what was seen out there this week. Golf has the ability to unite people. Golf teaches you very good life lessons. It teaches you etiquette. It teaches you how to play by the rules. It teaches you how to respect people.”
Speaking to the BBC, ahead of Sunday’s singles, Rea was asked about the increasingly rowdy atmosphere from the American fans and the impact it was having on play. His answer… well, it raised a few eyebrows.
There’s a lot you can say about the fans at Bethpage — but I think it’s worth starting at the source.
When the leader of your org says he hasn’t heard much verbal abuse of Rory McIlroy, perhaps there wasn’t much care about it happening pic.twitter.com/qPYGl7Pcr7
— Sean Zak (@Sean_Zak) September 30, 2025
Rea began by drawing a rather odd comparison between Ryder Cup fans and parents at youth football matches:
“Well you got 50,000 people here they are really excited. If you go to youth a soccer game people say the wrong things.”
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He then tried to make the case that booing actually helps the players before suggesting that it can also be a distraction if the players have to calm the crowd down themselves:
“We tell the fans booing at someone doesn’t make them play worse it makes them play better and when our American players have to control the crowd that distracts them from playing.”
His solution to this apparent problem? Even more cheering.
“So my message today to everybody who is out here is cheer on the Americans like never before coz that will always get them to play better get them out of crowd control.”
Later in the interview, Rea turned his attention to the Rory McIlroy incident on Saturday night. He claimed that these kinds of flashpoints are just part of the Ryder Cup atmosphere, and praised McIlroy for how he handled it:
“I haven’t heard some of that I’m sure it’s happens before in Rome when we are on the other side and Rory understands.”
“I thought he handled the press conference amazingly, but like things like that are going to happen I don’t know what was said but all I know is golf is the engine of good.”
Speaking to the media today ahead of this weekend’s Dunhill Links Championship, Tyrrell Hatton refuted the suggestion that Rome was as rowdy.
Tyrrell Hatton on suggestions the 2023 Ryder Cup crowd was similar to Bethpage.
“I don’t think they were close at all. Rome didn’t come anywhere near that. I don’t agree with what’s been said there.”
— John Turnbull (@JohnTurnbull03) October 1, 2025
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