PGA of America CEO issues heartfelt apology to McIlroy and the entire European team after Ryder Cup shame at Bethpage
07:36, 01 Oct 2025Updated 19:02, 01 Oct 2025
Rory McIlroy
Rory McIlroy and his wife as well as the entire European team have finally received a heartfelt apology from the PGA of America for suffering vile abuse at The Ryder Cup.
Luke Donald’s side endured a torrent of sickening personal insults throughout the event at Bethpage.
Members of the New York crowds were disgraceful in their actions with tournament directors having to enlist extra security.
Players were sworn at, insulted and McIlroy’s wife Erica had a cup of beer fired over her during the shameful Saturday on Long Island.
PGA of America president Don Rea adopted a pathetic stance when quizzed on it that evening with an almost dismissive statements including “things like that are going to happen.”
However, the organisation’s CEO Derek Sprague has stepped forward with the proper sorry to McIlroy, his spouse and Donald’s whole squad with the likes of Shane Lowry and Bob MacIntyre also targeted by idiots.
Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry of Team Europe celebrate defeating Justin Thomas and Cameron Young of Team United States (Image: Getty Images)
Sprague said: “I haven’t spoken to Rory or Erica. I do plan on sending them an email with my heartfelt apologies for what occurred.
“I know Rory and Erica. Erica used to work for the PGA of America. She’s from Rochester, New York. I’m from Malone, New York. I feel like I have this New York bond with them.
“There’s no place for that in the Ryder Cup or in the game of golf and I think Rory said it. We’re better than that in golf and that’s one thing that our game has always sort of portrayed right around the world when you compare it to other sports is that golf is a great game and people enjoy the game because of the values that the game of golf has.
“And I can’t wait to reach out to Rory and Erica and really, quite frankly, the entire European team. They might have been a target because of how good he is, but the whole European team should not have been subjected to that. And because of that, I feel badly and I plan on apologising to them.
“Certainly it’s not the values of the PGA of America or 30-plus thousand PGA golf professionals that work every day in this game to bring joy and laughter and fun to golf. Certainly we did not witness that. We are not happy what happened last week.”
Extra security staff and police dogs were drafted onto the scene as the situation escalated and, speaking to the Golf Channel, Sprague gave an insight into the emergency protocols.
He said: “We work closely with the New York State Police. They were the lead agency and then we had several layers of security, including private security companies to deal with the amount of fans, which is typical of a Ryder Cup.
“We work with them and we made sure we adjusted as the days went on and we reacted to fan behaviour, including removing a number of fans from the event. Or moving them away from the players that they were being abusive to and heckling. So we dealt with it swiftly and efficiently as it was being known to us.
“It’s a big golf course and we have plenty of law enforcement with the players, both sides of the fairways. And when you’re looking at a large crowd, it can be challenging to identify. But when they were identified, they were dealt with very quickly.
“When we heard those things going on on Saturday, we immediately redirected more of the security forces, whether it was Rory’s match or other matches or fan behaviour in parts of the golf course. And then certainly going into Sunday, we made sure that we kept that amount of security in place. And made sure that it was what we felt and our security consultants felt was the right amount of people to make sure that, one, the players were safe, and the fans would be dealt with swiftly if they got out of line.”
Sprague was asked if messaging to fans by the PGA of America ahead of the event was over-zealous with patriotic frenzy being whipped up.
First-tee MC Heather McMahan, an actress and comedian, had to say sorry to McIlroy and step down from the job having helped in a “F**k You Rory” chant.
An increased Police presence following the afternoon fourball match featuring Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry, Justin Thomas and Cameron Young on day two of the Ryder Cup at the Bethpage Black Course, Farmingdale, New York. (Image: PA)
But Sprague said: “I think we take responsibility for the fan behaviour. But the message? New York fans, we knew going into this that they’re passionate.
“This was my ninth Ryder Cup, so I’ve been to a number of them overseas as well as here and they are passionate on both sides. Certainly we had a small number of fans that crossed the line here this past week.
“I don’t think it’s indicative of every fan there. I’ve received emails and text messages. Fans had great experiences this week and sending thank yous, so whether they weren’t in the heat of the battle with those particular matches that may have had some people cross the line, it’s been mixed. But certainly we want to improve.
“With our partners at Ryder Cup Europe, and talking to their leadership, there is no place for this type of behaviour that crosses the line.
“Our discussions will, leading into Adare Manor in two years’ time, we will be talking with the leadership as we did this year. We had meetings in advance, what are we gonna do about the crowds?
“And we explained all the protocols we had in place and the New York State Police and they had a level of confidence that it would be dealt with and we’ll do the same thing going into 2027 in Ireland to make sure that we uphold the integrity and the sportsmanship of the Ryder Cup.
“When it started in 1927, it was about sportsmanship and integrity of the game, and that’s what we want it to be and continue to be and it’s unfortunate that people crossed the line last week.
“I hope it doesn’t take away from the brilliant play of both teams that we witnessed last week. Some just incredible scores. These were the 24 best players in the world and I think they gave the golf fans around the globe just an incredible event to tune into.
“That’s what the Ryder Cup should be remembered by and, unfortunately, some people that had a bad experience are going to remember it for the fan behaviour, or the long bus lines, or the traffic jams. But let’s not take away from the great play.”
