The president of the PGA of America sensationally claimed Rory McIlroy ‘understands’ the vile abuse directed at him and his family during the Ryder Cup.
‘Things like that are going to happen,’ said Don Rea, who also appeared to blame Team USA’s early struggles on their fans.
Rea was speaking ahead of the Sunday Singles of last week’s clash between Europe and America at Bethpage Black.
Luke Donald’s players were subjected to a torrent of abuse from the galleries, with McIlroy a particular target of US fans.
During the Saturday foursomes and fourballs, the world No 2 was taunted about his private life and called a ‘f*****’. His wife Erica Stoll, meanwhile, was hit by a drink as the atmosphere turned nasty at Bethpage Black.
But Rea suggested Europe’s players were treated no worse than their American counterparts when they travelled to Marco Simone in 2023.
Rory McIlroy and his European teammates were subjected to vile abuse at the Ryder Cup
Erica Stoll was subjected to horrific taunts while watching her husband at Bethpage Black
In a remarkable interview with the BBC, he said: ‘Well you have 50,000 people there that are really excited and – heck – you can go to a youth soccer game and get some people who say the wrong things.’
When pressed on the particularly personal attacks on McIlroy, he added: ‘I haven’t heard some of that – I’m sure it’s happened.
‘It happened when we were in Rome on the other side and Rory understands… 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.’
Team USA struggled badly over the first two days at Bethpage Black, with home players including Justin Thomas forced to try and quieten the crowds.
Rea suggested that was affecting their performance, claiming: ‘When our American players have to control the crowds, that distracts them from playing.
‘So our message today, to everybody out here, is: cheer on the Americans like never before because that will always get them to play better. Get them out of crowd control and let them perform.’
He added: ‘We tell the fans: booing somebody doesn’t make them play worse. Typically it makes them play better.’
Keegan Bradley’s team mounted a stirring comeback in the singles, only for Europe to triumph 15-13. After leading the visitors to victory, McIlroy condemned the ‘unacceptable’ language and ‘abusive behavior’.
Shane Lowry was playing alongside McIlroy when the abuse was at its most vicious
Justin Thomas appeals to the crowd to be quiet during his match against McIlroy and Lowry
‘I don’t think we should ever accept that in golf. I think golf should be held to a higher standard than what was seen out there this week,’ he said.
‘Golf has the ability to you 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.’
Teammate Shane 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.’
