Xander Schauffele has given his verdict on one of the biggest talking points of the 2025 Ryder Cup.
Europe raced into an astonishing 12-5 lead after two days of the contest at Bethpage Black in New York before the United States threatened the best comeback we’ve ever seen in the Sunday singles.
In the end, Keegan Bradley’s stars and stripes were on the receiving end of an agonising 15-13 defeat.
Despite the unfathomable events on the golf course, there has been plenty of chatter over what played out in the galleries.
Several European golfers were targeted with personal abuse. Rory McIlroy was on the receiving end of the majority of it. Some fans shouted at the top of his backswing to try and throw him off his game.
Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT
Xander Schauffele and Jon Rahm
The Masters champion even had to get the state troopers to remove one fan who used a homophobic slur.
The PGA of America’s president, Don Rea, has apologised to McIlroy, his wife Erica, and the rest of the European team.
Schauffele’s teammate, Collin Morikawa, told reporters before the Baycurrent Classic that a line was crossed in New York. He also said his “bringing chaos” comment was taken out of context.
As for Schauffele, he told media on Wednesday that he was also on the receiving end of some heckling from his own fans.
Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT
Schauffele was one of a select few American players that played well at the Ryder Cup, going 3-1-0 overall.
Once again, he partnered Patrick Cantlay in the foursomes and the duo beat Robert MacIntyre and Viktor Hovland but lost to the formidable pairing of Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton.
Cantlay and Schauffele combined to beat Rahm and Sepp Straka in the fourballs.
Schauffele then rounded off his week with an emphatic 4&3 victory over Rahm.
“It’s a tough thing,” Schauffele said. “I’ve heard several things about a few of the things that were said.
Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT
“The guys I played with, Hovland and Bob the first day, or against, sorry, and then Jon and Sepp, I played Jon in individuals and then Jon and Tyrrell again I believe.”
Rahm is playing the Open de Espana this week. The 2023 Masters champ said he couldn’t believe the “inhospitable” environment at Bethpage.
Ryder Cup
He described the 2025 Ryder Cup as the toughest week of his career.
Schauffele added: “Yeah, there were some unsavoury things said at certain times.
Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT
“You know, I really wish we could have played better to have them cheer for us a bit more. New York’s a tough place to play for anyone.
“I even got a few comments to play better. I’m not taking much personally when it comes to sort of what fans say.”
Xander Schauffele’s approach to the remainder of 2025 
Xander Schauffele
It has been a tough year for Schauffele on the course.
He came into the season as a two-time major champion having won The Open and PGA Championship.
Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT
But a rib injury forced him to miss eight weeks of the campaign.
Since he returned in March, at the Players Championship, Schauffele struggled to find the form that saw him at the very top of the leaderboards.
He had two top-10 finishes at the majors (Open, Masters) but wasn’t truly in contention.
Schauffele, who recently became a father, said that he just wants to gain some confidence going into 2026.
“I think it was a tricky year with injury and sort of lack of starts early on. Gaining some confidence, that would probably be the number one thing.
Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT
“Gaining a little bit going into the new year and trying to get back into good form.”
Subscribe to our Newsletter
