If you were in Farmingdale during the Ryder Cup, you probably heard the roar — and maybe a few things you shouldn’t have from the crowd.
Now, a few weeks after the dust (and the beer) has settled at Bethpage Black, Rory McIlroy has received a personal apology from PGA of America CEO Derek Sprague.
McIlroy said Sprague reached out to both him and his wife, Erica, following what was at times a tense and ugly week on Long Island. Fans at Bethpage, known for their passionate — and often rowdy — energy, drew heavy criticism after the international event. In one incident, a beer can was reportedly thrown from the crowd and struck McIlroy’s wife.
“I got a lovely email from Derek Sprague apologizing,” McIlroy told the BBC ahead of this week’s tournament in Abu Dhabi, calling the message gracious and heartfelt.
The Ryder Cup’s first trip to Long Island was electric — and a little chaotic.
Local fans turned out in record numbers, and while most came to cheer, a few crossed the line. The PGA of America added extra security as the week went on.
McIlroy said the hostility only fueled Team Europe’s motivation — and helped them take home the win.
The world’s best golfers will return to Long Island next summer for the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills, and again in 2033, when the PGA Championship returns to Bethpage Black.
Top: Fans cheers on the 11th hole during the singles match on the Bethpage Black golf course at the Ryder Cup golf tournament, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, in Farmingdale, N.Y. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
