PGA chief accepts he owes Rory McIlroy and Erica Stoll apology but will do it via ‘heartfelt email’

The PGA of America has apologised to Rory McIlroy and his wife Erica Stoll for the abuse they received at the Ryder Cup, while Team Europe’s Tyrrell Hatton has hit back at USA captain Keegan Bradley

Rory McIlroy and Erica Stoll are set to receive an apology from the PGA of America following the disgraceful treatment they endured at the Ryder Cup. The mood was hostile at Bethpage Black last weekend, with McIlroy and his Team Europe colleagues subjected to relentless verbal harassment from the crowd.

But matters escalated dramatically when McIlroy’s wife Stoll had a beverage hurled at her by a spectator, as hostilities reached boiling point between players and fans. Following the shameful incidents, PGA of America chief Derek Sprague has confirmed he will be writing to McIlroy and his family with a formal apology.

He said: “I do plan on sending them an email with my heartfelt apologies for what occurred. There’s no place for that in the Ryder Cup or in the game of golf,” reports the Mirror.

“I can’t wait to reach out to Rory and Erica and really, quite frankly, the entire European team. The whole European team should not have been subjected to that. And because of that, I feel badly and I plan on apologising to them. When it started in 1927, it was about sportsmanship and integrity of the game, and that’s what we want it to be and continue to.”

PGA president Don Rea has finally apologised for failing to criticise the actions of US fans at the Ryder Cup.

Asked if a line had been crossed, he said: “Well, you’ve 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,” before adding: “I haven’t heard some of that, I’m sure it’s happened,” when quizzed on abuse directed at McIlroy.

He continued: “It happened when we were in Rome on the other side. Things like that are going to happen and I don’t know what was said. But all I know is golf the engine of good.”

When Rea faced a wealth of backlash for his comments made to the press, he then took to LinkedIn to defend his decision to say what he did. He wrote: “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. 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.”

It now appears as though Rea has changed his tune, however, as the PGA face mounting pressure to remove him from his position. In an email sent to the PGA of America’s membership on Thursday, seen by Bunkered, he wrote: “Let me begin with what we must own.

“While the competition was spirited – especially with the US team’s rally on Sunday afternoon – some fan behaviour clearly crossed the line. It was disrespectful, inappropriate, and not representative of who we are as the PGA or as PGA of America Golf Professionals.

“We condemn that behaviour unequivocally. What makes our sport great is that we own our bogeys. We certainly own this one. Our CEO Derek Sprague has apologised on our behalf to Erica and Rory McIlroy and to everyone with Ryder Cup Europe.

“I would also like to apologise personally 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 apologise.”

He continued: “Moving forward, we will continue to promote the passionate and respectful support for both teams, and we’ll evaluate ways to more quickly identify and remove those few who discredit the Ryder Cup and the game of golf through personal or derogatory remarks.”

This comes as Tyrrell Hatton has slammed Keegan Bradley’s suggestion that the behaviour at Bethpage was simply “passionate” support, with the Team USA captain also alleging he had “heard a lot of stories that Rome was pretty violent as well” during the previous tournament in 2023. During a press conference ahead of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, the English golfer stated: “Personally, I don’t think they were close at all. With what I heard last week, I don’t think Rome comes anywhere near that. To be honest, personally, I don’t agree with what they said there.

“I don’t know what else to add to that. I think they (Rome and Bethpage) are quite far apart to be honest.”

On the topic of the antagonistic crowd at Bethpage Black, where Team Europe triumphed 15-13 over Team USA, Hatton added: “I don’t really think that the insults is the way forward. I would much prefer it to be a respectful atmosphere – you let the guys play and the best team wins, rather than trying to affect the outcome by trying to put off players.

“But I don’t think it will be as hostile (in 2027) as maybe as it was last week. I would like to think that it will be very respectful.”

PGA Tour veteran Tommy Fleetwood also shared his experience of competing in a hostile environment over the weekend. He said: “There is a big difference between a hostile environment and personal comments.

“Again, I think we were all prepared for it. Personal comments can go too far, and you obviously hope that that doesn’t happen again, or it shouldn’t happen, but it is just so out of our control.”

Luke Donald’s Team Europe ultimately triumphed at the tournament, enduring a barrage of hostility to secure a 15-13 victory. After a strong performance in the foursomes and fourballs sessions on Friday and Saturday, USA staged an impressive comeback during Sunday’s singles, appearing poised to pull off a remarkable turnaround from an 111⁄2-41⁄2 deficit.

However, Shane Lowry ensured that Europe held onto the title they clinched in Rome two years prior by securing a draw against Russell Henley, prompting a mass exodus of American fans. Hatton then sealed the outright victory for the visitors with his own draw against Collin Morikawa.