Don Rae Jr., the president of the PGA of America, officially apologized via email to 30,000 golf professionals on Thursday regarding comments about the chants directed at Team Europe during the Ryder Cup.
Rae initially compared the vulgar remarks to those typically heard at a youth soccer game, but he has since retracted those statements in his apology.
Advertisement
Team Europe’s victory over Team USA 15-13 at Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, New York last week marked its sixth Ryder Cup victory in the past eight events. However, this year’s event was overshadowed by the behavior of some American fans, who directed personal and profane comments at the European players during their quest for victory.
1 / 16
Donald Trump watches Scottie Scheffler, Bryson DeChambeau in 2025 Ryder Cup 4 balls
U.S. President Donald Trump walks off Air Force One with his granddaughter, Kai Trump, after arriving at the Republic Airport on Sept. 26, 2025 in Farmingdale, New York. Trump spent the day attending the first day of the 2025 Ryder Cup.
1 / 16
Donald Trump watches Scottie Scheffler, Bryson DeChambeau in 2025 Ryder Cup 4 balls
U.S. President Donald Trump walks off Air Force One with his granddaughter, Kai Trump, after arriving at the Republic Airport on Sept. 26, 2025 in Farmingdale, New York. Trump spent the day attending the first day of the 2025 Ryder Cup.
2 / 16
Donald Trump watches Scottie Scheffler, Bryson DeChambeau in 2025 Ryder Cup 4 balls
President Donald Trump walks onto the first hole before the Friday afternoon four-ball matches of the 2025 Ryder Cup at Black Course at Bethpage State Park Golf Course on Sept. 26, 2025, in Farmingdale, New York.
3 / 16
Donald Trump watches Scottie Scheffler, Bryson DeChambeau in 2025 Ryder Cup 4 balls
President Donald Trump waves to the crowd at the first tee during the Friday afternoon four-ball matches of the 2025 Ryder Cup at Black Course at Bethpage State Park Golf Course on Sept. 26, 2025, in Farmingdale, New York.
4 / 16
Kai Trump spotted at Ryder Cup 2025 with President Donald Trump
President Donald Trump salutes at the first tee during a flyover before the Friday afternoon four-ball matches of the 2025 Ryder Cup at Black Course at Bethpage State Park Golf Course on Sept. 26, 2025, in Farmingdale, New York.
5 / 16
Kai Trump spotted at Ryder Cup 2025 with President Donald Trump
President Donald Trump and his granddaughter Kai Trump attend the 2025 Ryder Cup golf competition at Bethpage Black Course in Farmingdale, New York, on Sept. 26, 2025.
6 / 16
Donald Trump watches Scottie Scheffler, Bryson DeChambeau in 2025 Ryder Cup 4 balls
President Donald Trump attends the 2025 Ryder Cup at Black Course at Bethpage State Park Golf Course on Sept. 26, 2025, in Farmingdale, New York.
7 / 16
Donald Trump watches Scottie Scheffler, Bryson DeChambeau in 2025 Ryder Cup 4 balls
U.S. military planes conduct a flyover as Donald Trump attends the 2025 Ryder Cup at Black Course at Bethpage State Park Golf Course on Sept. 26, 2025, in Farmingdale, New York.
8 / 16
Donald Trump watches Scottie Scheffler, Bryson DeChambeau in 2025 Ryder Cup 4 balls
Keegan Bradley, captain of Team United States, dances for Donald Trump as Trump attends the 2025 Ryder Cup at Black Course at Bethpage State Park Golf Course on Sept. 26, 2025, in Farmingdale, New York.
9 / 16
Donald Trump watches Scottie Scheffler, Bryson DeChambeau in 2025 Ryder Cup 4 balls
President Donald Trump attends the 2025 Ryder Cup at Black Course at Bethpage State Park Golf Course on Sept. 26, 2025, in Farmingdale, New York.
10 / 16
Donald Trump watches Scottie Scheffler, Bryson DeChambeau in 2025 Ryder Cup 4 balls
President Donald Trump dances in front of the crowd at the 2025 Ryder Cup at Black Course at Bethpage State Park Golf Course on Sept. 26, 2025, in Farmingdale, New York.
11 / 16
Donald Trump watches Scottie Scheffler, Bryson DeChambeau in 2025 Ryder Cup 4 balls
President Donald Trump attends the 2025 Ryder Cup at Black Course at Bethpage State Park Golf Course on Sept. 26, 2025, in Farmingdale, New York.
12 / 16
Donald Trump watches Scottie Scheffler, Bryson DeChambeau in 2025 Ryder Cup 4 balls
President Donald Trump speaks with Bryson DeChambeau of Team USA on the first tee during the Friday afternoon four-ball matches of the 2025 Ryder Cup at Black Course at Bethpage State Park Golf Course on Sept. 26, 2025, in Farmingdale, New York.
13 / 16
Donald Trump watches Scottie Scheffler, Bryson DeChambeau in 2025 Ryder Cup 4 balls
President Donald Trump shakes hands with Luke Donald, captain of Team Europe, on the first tee during the Friday afternoon four-ball matches of the 2025 Ryder Cup at Black Course at Bethpage State Park Golf Course on Sept. 26, 2025, in Farmingdale, New York.
14 / 16
Kai Trump spotted at Ryder Cup 2025 with President Donald Trump
President Donald Trump watches Scottie Scheffler of Team United States hit a tee shot on the first hole during the Friday afternoon four-ball matches of the 2025 Ryder Cup at Black Course at Bethpage State Park Golf Course on Sept. 26, 2025, in Farmingdale, New York.
15 / 16
Donald Trump watches Scottie Scheffler, Bryson DeChambeau in 2025 Ryder Cup 4 balls
President Donald Trump points to Patrick Cantlay of Team USA as Cantlay walks to the first hole tee box during the 2025 Ryder Cup at Black Course at Bethpage State Park Golf Course on Sept. 26, 2025, in Farmingdale, New York.
16 / 16
Donald Trump watches Scottie Scheffler, Bryson DeChambeau in 2025 Ryder Cup 4 balls
President Donald Trump gestures to fans in the stands on the first hole ahead of the four-balls on the first day of competition for the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, New York, on Sept. 26, 2025.
More: Inside Team USA’s near-comeback on final day of 2025 Ryder Cup
“Let me begin with what we must own. While the competition was spirited – especially with the U.S. team’s rally on Sunday afternoon – some fan behavior clearly crossed the line,” Rea wrote in his letter, which was obtained by The Associated Press, to PGA of America members. “It was disrespectful, inappropriate, and not representative of who we are as the PGA of America or as PGA of America golf professionals. We condemn that behavior unequivocally.”
Advertisement
European players, including Rory McIlroy, faced a significant amount of vulgar language from the crowd, with remarks aimed at their personal lives. During the Ryder Cup competition on Friday, Sept. 26, fans chanted “F— you, Rory” when he appeared on the large screens around the course. McIlroy responded to the spectators, and his fellow European golfers rallied together in a show of unity to support him.
Despite the distractions from the rowdy crowd, Team Europe remained focused and ultimately claimed the trophy to become the first team to win the tournament on foreign soil since the Europeans did so in 2012.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: PGA of America president apologizes to Rory McIlroy for Ryder Cup fans
