PGA CEO says he's apologized to Rory McIlroy, doesn't condone fan behavior at Bethpage

The Ryder Cup was over four days ago and rather than most of the talk being focused on Europe’s 15-13 victory and the American push on Sunday singles, the biggest headlines in the aftermath have been about the nasty fan behavior.

Add PGA of America CEO Derek Sprague to the mix.

Sprague, who started his new role earlier this year, was on the first tee for most of the matches, including Friday morning alongside President Donald Trump. He heard a lot of the vulgarities himself and was uncomfortable. On Saturday, he heard emcee Heather McMahan promote nasty chants toward Rory McIlroy and helped make the decision to have her removed. (McMahan spoke more Wednesday on her podcast to explain her side of the story.)

A large portion of the abuse was spewed at Rory McIlroy, generally the most popular player on the PGA Tour, but for this week the World No. 2 was Public Enemy No. 1. Several times McIlroy barked back at the unruly fans. At one point a beer was thrown on his wife Erica.

The Athletic caught up with Sprague this week.

“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 publication. “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.”

Sprague told The Athletic that he called McIlroy’s manager, Sean O’Flaherty, on Wednesday to apologize and asked him to share a letter with Rory and Erica.

“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 said. “And I was just really, really, really disappointed.”

He also believed the atmosphere on the first tee was unexpected.

“We’ve been waiting 12 years for that first tee shot on Friday morning of the Ryder Cup, and I think the first tee experience was a little underwhelming at the outset,” Sprague told The Athletic. “I don’t know if it was the stands itself where it was less of a coliseum and you don’t get the echoes.”

Sprague’s comments are almost the complete opposite as another PGA of America leader, president Don Rea, who told BBC Sports on Monday that what happened in New York was similar to what happened to the Americans two years ago in Rome.

“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,” Rea said. “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. I don’t know what was said, but all I know is that golf is the engine of good.”

Those comments were not received well by many, which is one of the reasons why Sprague wanted to get out in front of the issue. Matt Fitzpatrick and Tyrrell Hatton, part of the winning European team, were especially annoyed and had something to say while in Scotland playing in the Alfred Dunhill Links.

"Personally, I don't think they were close at all," said Hatton, who shot a first-round 66 Thursday at the Dunhill. "I certainly, with what I heard last week, I don't think Rome comes anywhere near that. I don't know what else to add to that. I think they are quite far apart to be honest."

Said Fitzpatrick: “I saw the interview with the PGA guy discussing about it was the same in Rome. It’s pretty offensive to European fans the fact that he said that, really.”

Understandably, Sprague would prefer to look forward to the 2027 matches at Adare Manor in Ireland. He said his organization will work diligently with the DP World Tour—the organization that runs the event when it’s in Europe—to do a debrief on Bethpage and figure out how to improve potential issues.

“We will make sure that we focus on what the Ryder Cup is all about,” Sprague said. “It’s about decorum and sportsmanship and integrity. The game has the highest values in all of sports, and we need to sort of have a guiding light to focus on from both sides of every match.”

Editor's Note—After the publication of this story, the Associated Press reported that PGA of America president Don Rea Jr. had sent a letter to his membership in which he apologized for his comments to the BBC.

"Let me begin with what we must own. While the competition was spirited -- especially with the U.S. team's rally on Sunday afternoon -- some fan behavior clearly crossed the line," read Rea's letter. "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.

"What makes our sport great is that we own our bogeys. We certainly own this one. Our CEO Derek Sprague has apologized on our behalf to Erica and Rory McIlroy and to everyone with Ryder Cup Europe. I would also like to personally apologize 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 apologize."

He ended his letter, "God Bless and as always Go U.S.A!"