US EditionRory McIlroy and wife Erica finally receive apology from USA over Ryder Cup abuse
PGA of America CEO Derek Sprague apologized for inadequate crowd control after Rory and Erica McIlroy faced verbal abuse and a drink was thrown during the 2025 Ryder Cup.
- SEPTEMBER 28: PGA of America CEO Derek Sprague apologized to Rory McIlroy and his wife Erica for abuse they endured at Bethpage Black, saying he plans to send them a heartfelt email.
- Crowds at Bethpage Black were unusually rowdy, making personal digs at Team Europe rather than supporting Team USA, as Erica Stoll had a drink thrown at her and McIlroy faced taunts about his private life.
- Security doubled during a match, with organisers working with state police and private security to remove or move abusive fans; Heather McMahan, emcee, led a chant against McIlroy, was removed, then resigned.
- The abuse overshadowed Team Europe's 15-13 victory, shifting attention from the result as PGA of America president Don Rea downplayed incidents, saying he hadn’t heard some abuse, drawing criticism.
- Sprague said the PGA of America and the DP World Tour will meet in the coming weeks to debrief this Ryder Cup and plan for Adare Manor, Ireland , pledging to do better on crowd management.
32 Articles
32 Articles
PGA Apologizes to Rory McIlroy’s Wife Erica Stoll After She Was the Target of Hecklers at the Ryder Cup
“I sent a long email to share with Rory and Erica and just told him that we will do better in the future,” PGA of America CEO Derek Sprague saidRichard Heathcote/Getty Erica StollNEED TO KNOWThe PGA issued an apology to Erica Stoll and Rory McIlroy after the couple experienced heckling at the Ryder Cup on Sept. 26Emcee Heather McMahan promoted the chant, "F--- you, Rory" into the megaphoneStoll was hit by a beer at one point of the contentious c…
PGA of America CEO Derek Sprague sends apology email to Rory McIlroy over Ryder Cup fan conduct
Team Europe retained the Ryder Cup after a weekend at Bethpage Black, but one of the main storylines from this year’s rivalry was Team USA fans were treating the golfers on Long Island. Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy and his wife, Erica, were at the center of some of those insults on the course, and The PGA of America CEO, Derek Sprague, made it a point to apologize. "I sent a long email to share with Rory and Erica and just told him that we wi…
PGA of America CEO apologises to McIlroy over fan abuse
PGA of America chief executive Derek Sprague says he will apologise directly to Rory McIlroy and the rest of Europe's Ryder Cup team and their families for the abusive behaviour they suffered from some spectators during last week's contest.
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