Gary Player has become the latest legend of the sport to condemn the behaviour from some US fans at the 2025 Ryder Cup.
Despite the United States threatening greatest comeback ever in the history of the biennial contest, Europe held on for a tight 15-13 away win.
But, sadly, the unruly behaviour from some US fans in the galleries at Bethpage Black in New York has become a huge talking point and the fallout is continuing.
Masters champion Rory McIlroy, who was the primary target for abuse, told reporters this week in India he wants to shift the narrative.
The 36-year-old Northern Irishman said he wanted the week to be remembered for Europe’s remarkable team performance.
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McIlroy’s week at Bethpage included being on the receiving end of homophobic abuse, taunts over his personal life and marriage.
There were occasions where some shouted at the top of his backswing and on more than one occasion McIlroy snapped and swore at the guilty parties.
His wife was even struck by a beer and a first tee emcee, hired by the PGA of America to rev up the crowd, fanned the flames when she repeated an “f— you, Rory” chant back to the crowd.
“I look at it and I’m in a state of shock,” Player, now 90, told The Palm Beach Post.
“I think, what would Ben Hogan have said, you know? What would Byron Nelson have said? What would Arnold Palmer [think]? If Arnold Palmer saw that today…
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“I was disgusted. So to me, the Ryder Cup is a shambles.”
Player, who is from South Africa and therefore was never able to play in the Ryder Cup, said that he generally enjoys the interaction between US and the European fans.
He added: “I love the fact that they say ‘USA, USA.’ I love [how] the British respond in their way. I think that’s exciting.
“But the Ryder Cup to me is the worst event in the world.
“And to see [the PGA of America] hire a lady to stand on the tee — if you want to call her a lady — and saying ‘F you, Rory. F this European team.'”
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Player also took issue with the president of the PGA of America, Don Rea, who initially refused to acknowledge the level of abuse.
The PGA of America is the governing body that oversees the US arm of the Ryder Cup.
Rea compared the heckling to a teenage soccer game then later doubled down with a bizarre post on his personal LinkedIn page.
Footage from a hotel for players’ families also later showed Rea performing karaoke – prompting accusations he wasn’t taking the situation seriously.
Rea has since apologised to McIlroy and his wife.
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Player added: “And then the head of the [PGA of America] says, what was so serious about it?
“Golf has never been that. Golf has been a gentleman’s sport. So, and to see that, and to see the players using this ‘F’ word, I mean, the whole lot.”
Player picked out two players for praise.
It was no surprise the nine-time major champ is a fan of Tommy Fleetwood and the top-ranked Scottie Scheffler.
Both players have repeatedly been praised for their classy behaviour throughout their careers.
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What did Rory McIlroy say?
McIlroy is playing a professional golf event in India this week for the very first time in his career.
In his first news conference since the Ryder Cup, McIlroy called for a shift in the narrative.
“The unfortunate thing is people aren’t remembering that [performance] and they are remembering the week for the wrong reason,” he said.
“I would like to shift the narrative and focus on how good the European team were and how proud I was to be part of that team to win an away Ryder Cup.”
McIlroy, who contributed 3.5 points to Europe’s total, also confirmed that he would love to captain the team one day.
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But he doesn’t envisage that happening until at least 2035.
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