Rory McIlroy and wife Erica Stoll have been sent an apology from the PGA of America over the sickening abuse they were targeted with at the Ryder Cup.
The Europe golf star was subjected to vile taunts throughout last week’s golf showpiece in New York, while his partner was at one stage left in tears after being hit by a drink thrown from the crowd.
Following the ugly scenes, PGA of America chief Derek Sprague has revealed he has apologized to McIlroy and his family on behalf of the governing body.
‘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 on Wednesday.
‘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.’
McIlroy was seen confronting fans on multiple occasions as tensions reached boiling point, before he had the last laugh after securing a 15-13 victory over Team USA and Europe’s first away Ryder Cup win since 2012.
Rory McIlroy and wife Erica have been sent an apology over the Ryder Cup abuse they suffered
However, the Northern Irishman has come under criticism from former golf star Paul Azinger – who captained Team USA back in 2008 – over his ‘hypocritical’ stance on the abuse he suffered at Bethpage Black.
Speaking on GOLF’s ‘Subpar’ program, Azinger said: ‘In the press conference, after it’s over, [McIlroy] is saying, “I think golf should be held to a higher standard of decorum.”
‘Isn’t that what he said? But in the meantime, he says, “F*** you, F*** you, F*** you” in full voice for the world to see.
‘He turns around and says to the guy, “Shut the f*** up,” the guy in the media asked him today, “How did that feel, Rory, to tell the guy to shut the f*** up and then hit it two feet?” And he said, “It felt pretty f***ing good,” and I’m like, which is it, Rory?
‘Is it that golf is held to a higher standard? Or are you just going to “f*** you” the fans and act like that’s okay?
‘I love Rory, you know that, but you can’t say that. You can’t say the fans need to behave better and then in the meantime, lay them to waste’.
