Gary Player has issued a scathing review of the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black and admits he was shocked by something he saw involving Team Europe’s Rory McIlroy
Gary Player was shocked by some of the events at the Ryder Cup(Image: Getty)
Golfing legend Gary Player didn’t mince his words when slamming the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black. He described the tournament as “the worst event in the world” and labelled it “a shambles.”
In an interview with the Palm Beach Post, the 89-year-old South African expressed his dismay after what was a chaotic tournament in the US.
The likes of Team Europe’s Rory McIlroy was subjected to constant jeers from the home fans and a drink was even thrown at his wife, Erica Stoll.
“I look at it and I’m in a state of shock,” said Player. “I think, what would Ben Hogan have said, you know? What would Byron Nelson have said? What would Arnold Palmer… If Arnold Palmer saw that today… I was disgusted… so to me the Ryder Cup is a shambles”
The golf icon’s fury was sparked by this spectator behaviour during the biennial competition as Europe secured victory on American turf with a 15-13 scoreline.
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He targeted tournament organisers, highlighting how a first tee entertainer provoked vulgar chants aimed at McIlroy and Team Europe before stepping down following widespread criticism, reports the Mirror US.
McIlroy was incensed at the Ryder Cup(Image: PA)
“To see [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.. Are we crazy? And then the head of the [PGA of America] says, what was so serious about it?” added Player.
Following Player’s scathing remarks, McIlroy also shared his thoughts on the post-tournament discussion. Despite celebrating Ryder Cup success, McIlroy voiced his disappointment that the week is being recalled for negative reasons.
“It takes away from what we focused on, which is what an incredible performance it was by the European team,” he said. “The unfortunate thing is people aren’t remembering that and they are remembering the week for the wrong reason.
“Look, I don’t think we should ever accept that in golf,” McIlroy added. “Golf should be held to a higher standard than what was seen out there this week.”
The PGA of America’s CEO, Derek Sprague, issued an apology for the mistreatment of players and families, acknowledging that the behaviour of some of the fans “crossed the line.”
Despite the jeering McIlroy’s team were victorious(Image: Getty)
The next Ryder Cup is at Adare Manor in Ireland in 2027, which is McIlroy’s home soil, as Player insists that “golf deserves better.”
McIlroy is also in the running to be a captain sometime in the future for the Ryder Cup. He said: “I would love to be the European captain at some point.
“But that will be beyond my playing days, or at least when my playing days are coming to an end and I’m not good enough to make the team or I make way for the new generation to come along. Hopefully that’s not in 2027! Hopefully I’m still good enough to play and put points on the board for Europe.”
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