Ryder Cup boss makes astonishing claim about Bethpage fan abuse
Last updated:
The president of the PGA of America has come under fire for downplaying the abuse aimed, in particular, at Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry during the 45th Ryder Cup.
PGA president Don Rea, who heads up the governing body that administers the biennial competition in the United States, claims Rory McIlroy “understands” why he was targeted at Bethpage.
On a hostile Saturday afternoon in New York, the Northern Irishman – partnering Shane Lowry to take on Justin Thomas and Cameron Young – was subject to taunts about his personal life, including his publicized marital problems, and homophobic slurs. At one point, McIlroy’s wife, Erica, had a drink thrown at her, while Lowry was constantly goaded about his weight.
Thomas was seen on a number of occasions asking the crowds to calm down, and it led to the PGA of America posting messages on the big screens dotted around the course warning fans that they would be ejected for bad behavior. Police presence around the match also noticeably increased.
After holding off the American fightback on Sunday, McIlroy said “golf should be held to a higher standard than what we’ve seen out there this week”.
“I don’t think we should ever accept that in golf,” he added. “Golf has the ability to unite people. 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… it was a rough week for all of us.”
Lowry added: “I was out there for two days with Erica McIlroy, and the amount of abuse that she received was astonishing. The way she was out there supporting her husband and supporting her team was unbelievable.”
It all came about on a day that had started with comedian Heather McMahan being forced to quit her role as first tee MC after leading a foul-mouthed chant against the Masters champion.
Rea, though, chose to downplay the situation.
In an interview with BBC Sport, which was recorded before Sunday’s singles matches but appeared on social media after Europe had completed their 15-13 win, he said: “Well you have 50,000 people there that are really excited. Heck, you can go to a youth soccer game and get some people who say the wrong things.
“We tell the fans: booing somebody doesn’t make them play worse. Typically it makes them play better.
“When our American players have to control the crowds, that distracts them from playing.”
But it was when Rea was asked about his thoughts on the abuse aimed at McIlroy and Lowry that the interview took a turn.
“I haven’t heard some of that,” he claimed. “I’m sure it’s happened. It happened when we were in Rome on the other side and Rory understands.”
For those with a short memory, the worst “abuse” dished out by European fans at Marco Simone was waving their caps at Patrick Cantlay over his part in the Ryder Cup pay row.
Rea concluded: “Things like that are going to happen and I don’t know what was said, but all I know is golf is the engine of good.”
Later, Rea doubled down on the claims in a LinkedIn post.
He wrote: “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 and just like when I was an umpire I expect it.
“However, to the students and PGA members that follow me, know this, I am not bothered. I know who I ultimately serve.”
Rea attached a link to a sermon he delivered at Bethel Chandler Church in 2022, adding: “When I wrote this sermon three years ago I meant it and today I am living it. The truth is still the truth. New level. New devil.”
-
Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry were subject to a torrent of abuse from USA fans throughout the Ryder Cup.
