Rory McIlroy and his wife Erica are reportedly set to make a big decision on their future after the abuse they received at the Ryder Cup last month
The mansion in Wentworth, pictured before a makeover, which Rory McIlroy and his family bought
Rory McIlroy remains “very angry and hurt” after the torrent of abuse his family faced during the Ryder Cup. European players were subjected to a barrage of jeers and hostility on their way to a 15-13 victory at Bethpage Black in New York last month.
McIlroy was targeted with the worst of the home crowd’s venom, while his wife Erica became embroiled in the mayhem when a beer thrown from the stands hit her hat. According to reports, the incident has massively reinforced the couple’s determination to move to the UK.
The report also suggests that Erica, who hails from New York, “can’t wait” to leave her homeland and return to Wentworth, where she and her husband started building their dream home 18 months ago, reports the Irish Mirror.
“Rory’s decision to relocate with Erica and Poppy will be made easier by the abuse American fans gave them this weekend,” a source told the Daily Mail. “He was clearly very angry and hurt.”
PGA of America president Don Rea had played down the crowd’s aggression, insisting similar incidents occurred when Europe hosted the competition two years ago – remarks that Matt Fitzpatrick branded as “offensive”.
However, PGA of America chief executive Derek Sprague acknowledged the abuse aimed at McIlroy and his teammates “crossed the line”, and confirmed he would be sending an apology to the Northern Irishman and his wife. “It’s unfortunate that people crossed the line last week,” Sprague said.
“There’s no place for that at the Ryder Cup, no place for it in the game of golf and we are not happy with what happened last week.
“I haven’t spoken to Rory or Erica. I do plan on sending them an email with my heartfelt apologies because of what occurred.
“I can’t wait to reach out to Rory and Erica, and really the entire European team. Rory might have been a target because of how good he is, but the entire European team should not have been subjected to that. I feel badly and I plan on apologising to them.”
Rory McIlroy of Team Europe and wife Erica Stoll arrive for the Ryder Cup Teams’ Welcome Dinner prior to the Ryder Cup 2025 at Hempstead House in Sands Point, New York(Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
McIlroy insisted that golf’s core principles were absent at Bethpage Black, remarking: “I think golf should be held to a higher standard than what was seen out there this week.
“Golf teaches you very good life lessons, it teaches you etiquette, it teaches you how to play by the rules, it teaches you how to respect people.
“Sometimes this week we didn’t see that. So no, this should not be what is acceptable in the Ryder Cup.”
Meanwhile, Eddie Pepperell reckons the reigning Masters champion may now be considering scaling back his American appearances following the torrent of abuse he endured across the three days.
Speaking on the Chipping Forecast podcast, he said: “How does he feel about the future? Is Rory thinking ‘I can’t wait play golf in America next year – or will I play less?’
“His wife couldn’t wait to go back to Wentworth. And she’s American. I bet she couldn’t wait to get out of there. In my mind Rory would be within his rights to say that he could do without America for a while.
“Rory is a big star and he is going to want to play more in Europe – and globally – so he doesn’t have to deal with some of that s***.”
