PGA CEO Apologizes to Rory McIlroy After Ryder Cup Incident

Rory McIlroy and his wife, Erica Stoll, received an apology from Derek Sprague, the CEO of PGA of America, following a series of abusive incidents directed at them during the Ryder Cup held at Bethpage Black on Long Island, New York. In an exclusive interview with The Athletic, Sprague expressed his disappointment over the behavior exhibited by fans, stating, “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.”

Sprague, who assumed the role of CEO in January, reached out to McIlroy’s manager, Sean O’Flaherty, to convey his regrets. The apology included a lengthy email, which Sprague hoped O’Flaherty would share with the McIlroys. He noted his long-standing acquaintance with Erica, having known her since her tenure with the PGA of America in the last decade.

Incidents of Abuse at the Ryder Cup

During the tournament, McIlroy and his European teammates faced explicit insults and taunts from the crowd. Reports indicated that at one point, McIlroy’s Irish teammate and close friend, Shane Lowry, had to be restrained as tensions escalated. Eyewitnesses described the atmosphere, with one fan commenting, “I’ve never seen anything like this at a golf tournament before.”

Footage shared on social media also depicted an incident where a drink was thrown at Erica, who narrowly avoided being hit as she supported her husband during a match. The derogatory behavior prompted Sprague to reflect on the need for improved security and crowd management at events.

“It’s hard to define what crosses the line, right?” Sprague acknowledged. “When we were getting reports of those incidents, we were dealing with them as they arose.”

Sprague confirmed that several individuals were removed from the venue for their disruptive behavior, and he emphasized the need for future improvements in crowd decorum.

Looking Forward to the 2027 Ryder Cup

In response to the incidents, Sprague announced plans for a debriefing session between the PGA of America and the DP World Tour. This meeting will focus on the events of the Ryder Cup and discuss strategies to enhance conditions for the 2027 Ryder Cup, which will take place in Ireland. “We will make sure that we focus on what the Ryder Cup is all about. It’s about decorum and sportsmanship and integrity,” Sprague stated.

Despite the challenges faced during the competition, McIlroy and Team Europe managed to secure a narrow victory over Team USA with a final score of 15-13. In his post-match comments, McIlroy condemned the abusive behavior, asserting that golf should maintain a higher standard. “Golf has the ability to unite people. It teaches you etiquette and respect,” he said. “This should not be what is acceptable in the Ryder Cup.”

As he reflected on the events of the week, McIlroy urged fans to support their teams positively, emphasizing that the conduct witnessed was not representative of the spirit of the game. “For me, it’s – you know, come and support your home team. Come and support your team,” he remarked.

While acknowledging the challenging atmosphere, McIlroy remained proud of how he and his teammates handled the situation with grace and poise. “It was a rough week for all of us, but at the same time, we shut them up by our performance and how we played,” he concluded.