This year’s Ryder Cup was met with scrutiny as rowdy fans led to heckling, and Rory McIlroy’s wife was in tears. The PGA issued an apology to Erica Stoll and McIlroy over what happened.
Reports state that during the Ryder Cup, McIlroy burst out into anger over attending fans not staying quiet. At one point, McIlroy had a fan kicked out after he heard the person call him an unwarranted slur. Things only got worse when a beer can went flying through the air and hit his wife in the head, which was reported to have left her in tears.
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At another point, emcee Heather McMahan took the megaphone and promoted the chant, “F— you, Rory.”
Since the events at the Ryder Cup, the PGA has issued an apology to the golf legend and his wife.
“Heather has extended an apology to Rory McIlroy and Ryder Cup Europe and has stepped down from hosting the first tee of the Ryder Cup,” said the PGA of America in a statement to BBC Sport.
PGA America CEO Derek Sprague also revealed to The Athleticthat he was upset and does not agree with McMahon’s and the fans’ behavior at the Ryder Cup. He explains that he has already spoken to McIlroy’s manager about what happened.
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“I sent a long email to share with Rory and Erica and just told him that we will do better in the future,” said Sprague.
“I’m the CEO now. I don’t condone this type of behavior. This is not good for the game of golf. It’s not good for the Ryder Cup. It’s not good for any of the professional athletes, and we will do better.”
“I’m disappointed in fan behavior, disappointed in the first tee and the emcee that it’s just that’s not who we are,” Sprague continued. “And I was just really, really, really disappointed.”
PGA of America President Don Rea Jr. was also reported to have sent a letter to PGA members stating some of the fans’s behavior “clearly crossed the line.” He further added it was “disrespectful” behavior and not what the PGA and its golf professionals stand for.
This story was originally reported by Men’s Journal on Oct 3, 2025, where it first appeared in the Sports section. Add Men’s Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
