NEED TO KNOW
- The PGA issued an apology to Erica Stoll and Rory McIlroy after the couple experienced heckling at the Ryder Cup on Sept. 26
- Emcee Heather McMahan promoted the chant, “F— you, Rory” into the megaphone
- Stoll was hit by a beer at one point of the contentious competition
The PGA issued an apology to Erica Stoll after she and her husband, Rory McIlroy, experienced heckling from both emcee Heather McMahan and other attendees at the Ryder Cup on Sept. 26.
The tournament, held at Bethpage Black Golf Course in Farmingdale, N.Y., is a biennial golf tournament between the U.S. and Europe. Stoll, 38, was hit with a beer can, and both she and the Northern Irish golfer, 36, were subjected to several verbal insults. At another point, McMahan, 38, took the megaphone and promoted the chant, “F— you, Rory.”
“Heather has extended an apology to Rory McIlroy and Ryder Cup Europe and has stepped down from hosting the first tee of the Ryder Cup,” PGA of America said in a statement to BBC Sport.
On Thursday, Oct. 2, PGA of America President Don Rea Jr. apologized in a letter to PGA of America members obtained by the Associated Press.
“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 behavior clearly crossed the line,” Rea wrote. “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.”
In an interview with The Athletic on Wednesday, Oct. 1, PGA of America CEO Derek Sprague said he had a lengthy phone call with McIlroy’s manager, Sean O’Flaherty. Sprague, who has been leading the organization since January, condemned McMahan’s and the fans’ behavior.
“I sent a long email to share with Rory and Erica and just told him that we will do better in the future,” Sprague told The Athletic. “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.”
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“I’m disappointed in fan behavior, disappointed in the first tee and the emcee that it’s just that’s not who we are,” Sprague continued. “And I was just really, really, really disappointed.”
In his letter, Rea also noted that Sprague apologized to McIlroy, Erica and to “everyone with Ryder Cup Europe.”
The next Ryder Cup will be held in 2027 in Ireland. Sprague told The Athletic he plans to meet with his European counterparts to “make sure that we focus on what the Ryder Cup is all about,” which is “decorum and sportsmanship and integrity.”
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