Erica and Rory McIlroy
David Cannon, Getty Images
As if the disappointment of another American Ryder Cup loss weren’t enough, PGA of America officials spent much of last week trying to clean up their own mess resulting from the raucous crowd behavior at Bethpage Black.
It was a Ryder Cup in which Rory McIlroy was a particular target as fans directed profane chants at him. His wife, Erica, was also hit by a beer thrown by spectators.
Though PGA of America officials said they added security and escorted some spectators off the premises, they seemed ill-prepared to handle the situation, drawing criticism from both sides.
After two turbulent days, PGA of America president Don Rea did little to tamp down the environment when he told the BBC on Sunday morning, “You’ve got 50,000 people here that are really excited and, heck, you could go to a youth soccer game and get some people who say the wrong things.”
“It was disrespectful, inappropriate, and not representative of who we are as the PGA of America or as PGA of America golf professionals. We condemn that behavior unequivocally.”
Don Rea
When asked about the verbal abuse to which McIlroy had been subjected, Rea added, “I haven’t heard some of that. I’m sure it happened. It happens when we’re over in Rome on the other side, and Rory understands. Things like that are going to happen.”
Speaking last Wednesday ahead of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews, European team member Matt Fitzpatrick took exception to Rea likening the Bethpage crowds to those at the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome. “It’s pretty offensive to European fans the fact that he said that, really,” the Englishman said.
The same day, Rea posted on LinkedIn: “Couple thoughts. This is my profile, not the PGA’s. That being said, thank you to all that have reached out to me as a friend and golf industry leader. I’m personally taking some criticism right now and that comes with the role… I am not bothered. I know who I ultimately serve … New level. New devil.”
With the firestorm still burning, Rea sent a letter Thursday to PGA of America members via email, addressing the event and his own words. The letter, which was obtained by multiple media outlets, read:
“Let me begin with what we must own. While the competition was spirited – especially with the U.S. team’s rally on Sunday afternoon – some fan behavior clearly crossed the line.
“It was disrespectful, inappropriate, and not representative of who we are as the PGA of America or as PGA of America golf professionals. We condemn that behavior unequivocally.
“What makes our sport great is that we own our bogeys. We certainly own this one. Our CEO Derek Sprague has apologized on our behalf to Erica and Rory McIlroy and to everyone with Ryder Cup Europe. I would also like to personally apologize to them and all of you for not representing our association in the best light with some of my comments in the media during the event.
“While it wasn’t my intention, some of my comments were seen in a negative light which reflects poorly on not only myself but also on the PGA of America and for that I truly apologize.”
Adding to the negative perception following Rea’s apology was a story published Saturday in The Times of London reporting that Rea sang karaoke at an official hotel for players’ families and guests on Saturday night during the Ryder Cup, just hours after McIlroy and his wife had been targeted.
In an interview with The Athletic published Thursday, Sprague detailed his apology to McIlroy and his wife, saying he spoke Wednesday with McIlroy’s agent, Sean O’Flaherty, apologizing to him and asking him to share a letter with the couple.
“I sent a long email to share with Rory and Erica and just told him that we will do better in the future,” Sprague said. “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.”
Ron Green Jr.
