PGA President Don Rea Issues SHOCK Ryder Cup Apology After Rory McIlroy Abuse Backlash
🔥 Drama at the Ryder Cup doesn’t end on the course – this time it’s off the fairways! Less than 24 hours after doubling down on his controversial remarks, PGA of America President Don Rea has now issued a formal apology for failing to condemn the ugly fan abuse directed at Rory McIlroy at Bethpage. 🏌️♂️💥
In this video, we break down:
✅ What Don Rea originally said in his BBC interview 👀
✅ Why his comments caused outrage among fans, media, and pros 🚨
✅ The shocking “new level, new devil” post that poured fuel on the fire 🔥
✅ His full apology to Rory McIlroy, Erica Stoll, and Ryder Cup Europe 🙏
✅ What this means for the PGA of America’s leadership and future Ryder Cups 🏆
Was Rea’s apology too little, too late? Or did he finally do the right thing by owning the mistake? Let’s discuss in the comments below 👇
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Less than a day after standing firm on his stance, PGA of America President Don Ray has issued a formal apology for his controversial comments following last week’s Rder Cup. Ry had been heavily criticized for remarks he gave in a BBC interview where he refused to condemn the hostile fan behavior directed at Europe’s star man Rory Mroy during the event at Beth Page. When asked whether the spectators had gone too far, Ray downplayed the incident, saying, “You’ve got 50,000 people here who are really excited, and heck, you could go to a youth soccer game and hear people say the wrong things.” Press specifically on the abuse aimed at Mroy, he added. I haven’t heard some of that. I’m sure it’s happened. It happened when we were in Rome on the other side. Things like that are going to happen, but all I know is golf is the engine of good. The comments triggered fierce backlash. On Wednesday, Rey attempted to defend himself in a post on LinkedIn, even likening the criticism he faced to the work of the devil. “I’m personally taking some criticism right now, and that comes with a role,” he wrote. “I know who I ultimately serve. The truth is still the truth. New level, new devil.” with mounting pressure on the PGA of America to take action. Echoing the 2014 removal of former President Ted Bishop after sexist remarks about Ian Poulter, Ry has now backtracked. I in an email sent Thursday afternoon to PGA members. Rey admitted he had been wrong. Some fan behavior clearly crossed the line. It was disrespectful, inappropriate, and not representative of who we are as the PGA or as PGA of America Golf Professionals. We condemn the behavior unequivocally, he wrote. He confirmed that PGA of America CEO Derek Sprag had already apologized directly to Rory Mroy, his wife Erica, and Rder Cup Europe. I would also like to apologize personally to them and to all of you for not representing our association in the best light with some of my comments. He continued, “While it wasn’t my intention, my words reflected poorly on myself and on the PGA of America. For that, I truly apologize.” Ry added that moving forward, the PGA of America would take stronger measures to promote respectful support at major events and act swiftly to remove fans whose conduct damages the reputation of the RDER Cup and the sport itself.
26 Comments
Everyone makes mistakes…it how you respond when called out. So, fair play to him for holding his hand up and admitting he was at fault.
If only this type of reaction could filter down to USA government level.
The apology was a long time coming. No doubt he was under pressure from within the PGA and US media . He has disgraced the PGA and the only honourable thing to do is resign. If not he should be fired. Leaders or those in high office should be held to account.
Should resign
Yes but he doesn’t really feel sorry about what he said, he’s been told too.
Step aside numb nuts
I guess my only question is why was nothing done to stop this? It started on Friday, and then went way south. The US players should have stepped up to at least try and tone it down. I did see JT at least try. Whoever threw the drink needs to be arrested and charged. What a total embarrassment.
Apology rejected. Resign, you failure.
he's a JERK
Hahahaha. An email apology. What a class act.
Insincere. The PGA get exactly the type of abusive and vulgar crowd they want. The reputation is well established. I hope McIroy never plays in America again. I wouldn’t.
Maybe Rea should be let go?
He’s a dick
Resign, Rea. Youre a disgrace and a liar. Your apology is insincere and an attempt to whitewash your own and US fans behaviour
you waited 4 days to apologize,you and the Pga have no class,and the superstar from europe isn’t coming to the usa anymore,you need to step down immediately !
one more thing,i lost all respect for all of the usa team,you did nothing,you were the hosts,you have lost so many fans,because the fans that were there were not golf fans,they were WWF fans,i love this game but i’m not watching anymore,way to be a leader Scotty
Must have been so humiliating for him. Good.
TOO LATE!
I did'nt hear him, you said he did,?????
he is no appropriate for the post
Trumps America……..FIFA and IOC take note.
This guy is a joke condoning the abuse by fans especially the assault on Rorys wife.
If he doesn't resign then he should be fired.
American's are just bad losers. It's all great when they're winning. At least it will be in Ireland next time so definitely more civilised. Never thought I'd say that!
I sure hope that the fan that threw the beer can at Rory's wife ( THE GUY WEARING THE BEIGE SHIRT AND THE GREY BASEBALL CAP) got arrested and banned for life to all future tournaments.
An email apology? Wow. How upfront and classy.
Some of our fans were disrespectful but most were won't. This country is not hateful and those who say that we are haven't lived here. Stop bashing the US…we don't bash your country.