Justin Thomas appeared conflicted on Sunday when a reporter asked him at the post-Ryder Cup press conference for a response regarding the loud and crude American golf fans who abused Europe’s key players like Rory McIlroy.
The behavior dominated headlines throughout the tournament, which is one of the most prestigious in golf. As early as Friday morning, the home fans at Bethpage Black in New York showed the visiting champions what kind of mood they were going to set, as they jeered McIlroy on his way to the tee, for his opening shot. From there, a fan threw a drink at McIlroy’s wife, and others continued to shout obscenities at the Northern Irishman.
When speaking to media, after the U.S. lost by a 15-13 score to Europe, Thomas acknowledged that the tone of the jeering was abusive in nature, said “words hurt”, but stressed no golfer was ever in danger. He finished by offering two excuses for the controversial incidents.
Justin Thomas Reacts to Ryder Cup Controversy
As GIVE ME SPORT reported earlier in the tournament, eyewitnesses described chants of “leprechaun,” “overrated,” and “take out the Irish trash,” together with other jibes like “choker” — all aimed at McIlroy. Other comments made light of McIlroy’s past marital issues. His wife, Erika, was also the target of sexually explicit comments. One fan was ejected from Bethpage Black.
“I don’t think anybody’s safety was necessarily in danger,” Thomas told reporters. “I understand what you’re saying. Words hurt, too. There’s definitely some nasty things said. But I don’t think anyone was fearing for their life, or in any situation where they were going to get hurt.”
Team USA captain Keegan Bradley paired Justin Thomas with Cameron Young, and JT said that he and Cameron told McIlroy and his partner Shane Lowry that they “felt” for them. And that it was “unfortunate.”
Thomas continued: “Cameron and I just hope we gave them something to cheer for instead of people to cheer against. That was the main consensus the last two days, that we weren’t giving them enough to cheer for.”
That’s when Thomas appeared to provide excuses for the abusive fans.
“They were just trying to help us win. That’s just New York fans for you.”
Team USA lost for the 13th time out of the last 19 tournaments, reasserting Europe’s dominance.
