PGA of America president Don Rea Jr. announced his apology Thursday following unruly actions from many fans who attended last week’s Ryder Cup. Rory McIlroy faced a wealth of verbal abuse Throughout the tournament, it has become a topic of recent conversation.
The apology came after Leah appeared to have brushed off the treatment McIlroy faced.
Europe won 15-13 with their latest Ryder Cup title. This marked the sixth in the last eight Ryder Cups that Europe won.
“Let’s start with what we have to own. The competition was thriving, especially at the US team rally on Sunday afternoons, but some fans’ actions clearly crossed the line.” “It was rude, inappropriate and not representing who we are as American PGAs or American golf professionals. We clearly condemn the action.
“What makes our sport so great is that we own bogeys. We certainly own this. Our CEO Derek Sprague apologized on our behalf to Erica and Rory McIlroy and everyone in Europe in the Ryder Cup.
“It wasn’t my intention, but some of my comments were seen in negative light.
Rhea completed the email saying, “God’s blessing and always going to America!”
There were several examples of violent behavior that took place at Bethpage Black. On Friday, a small group of fans chanted “F —You, Rory,” with images of Northern Ireland golfers appearing on a nearby video screen.
Matt Fitzpatrick, Tyrrell Hutton criticizes the US President’s PGA following Europe’s victory at the 2025 Ryder Cup
Patrick McDonald
Additionally, some European players were yelled at vulgar language, and multiple letting fle humiliations were thrown at McIlroy and his wife. Fans threw a beer at McIlroy while walking the entire course.
McIlroy returned to one fan by saying “F — Close UP” during Saturday’s action.
“I don’t think we should accept that in golf. I think we should keep golf at a higher standard than what we’ve seen this week.” McIlroy said Sunday night after the European victory. “Golf has the ability to unite people. Golf teaches you very good life lessons. It teaches you etiquette. It teaches you how to play with the rules. It teaches you how to respect people.
“I didn’t see that sometimes this week,” McIlroy continued. “So this shouldn’t be acceptable in the Ryder Cup. But I’ll make sure I’ll tell Irish fans in 2027 that what happened this week is unacceptable.”
Rea initially took a different stance as she said the fans’ actions were also distracting for American golfers.
“I’ve never heard of it, and I’m sure it happened,” Rhea said in an interview with the BBC earlier this week. “It happens when we were in Rome on the other side, and Rory understands. That’s what will happen.”
2025 Ryder Cup: Everything I said about verbal abuse from Beth Page fans after the victory in Europe
Robbie Kalland
McIlroy’s teammates Matt Fitzpatrick and Shane Lowry were appalled by the actions of the fans they witnessed. Fitzpatrick said he was “pretty aggressive for European fans,” but it removed some actions, but Laurie considered McIlroy’s wife, Erica, verbally abused by “surprising.”
On Tuesday, PGA of America CEO Derek Sprague said in an interview on the Golf Channel that he thought the fans had crossed the line. Sprague also added that he plans to personally apologize to McIlroy and his wife.
“Rolly may have been a target for how good he is, but the whole European team shouldn’t have been exposed to it,” Sprague said. “I feel bad and I’m going to apologize to them.”
