Ryder Cup 2025: First-tee announcer apologizes and quits after leading crass chant directed at Rory McIlroy
Kate McShane
FARMINGDALE, N.Y. — The Ryder Cup is already over for one of the participants ahead of the final day. It's just not a player.
A first-tee announcer and emcee has quit and apologized after leading a crass crowd chant on Saturday directed at Rory McIlroy.
Actress and comedian Heather McMahan stepped down from her role on Saturday night. The PGA of America released the following statement:
"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."
Here's video in which you can hear someone join a "Fu-- you, Rory!" chant with a microphone by the first tee.
McIlroy dealt with abuse from the fans at Bethpage Black all day on Saturday. He was still able to win both of his matches as Europe took a commanding seven-point lead heading into the Sunday singles session.
MORE GOLF DIGEST @ THE RYDER CUP COVERAGE
- Ryder Cup 101: Everything you need to know about this year’s match
- Power Rankings: Breaking down all 24 players competing at Bethpage Black
- How to watch the Ryder Cup: TV listings, Viewer’s Guide, Tee Times & more
- 10 questions a time traveler would ask attending the 2025 Ryder Cup
- Every hole at Bethpage Black
- Bethpage Black par-5 masterpiece, explained
- 15 moments that made the Ryder Cup golf’s most compelling duel
- GamePlan: 3 sneaky match-play tactics pros use at the Ryder Cup
- What’s the deal with players being paid to play the Ryder Cup? A Q&A
- 7 mistakes from 2023 the Americans need to avoid repeating
- Will Bethpage be a breaking point for fan behavior?
- Which U.S. Ryder Cup uniforms have aged the best (and worst)
- The Ryder Cup ticket controversy, re-explained