PGA Officials Issue Apologies to Rory McIlroy and Wife Erica Stoll After Brutal Ryder Cup Heckling

Rory McIlroy and his wife Erica Stoll have received apologies from two members of the PGA.

During the Saturday, September 27 Ryder Cup tournament at Bethpage Black Golf Course in Farmingdale, New York, the Irish professional golfer, 36, was heckled for hours by American fans, including from emcee Heather McMahan, who led the chant “F**k you Rory” according to The Athletic.

The heckling was so intense that Stoll, 38, was even hit with a beer can thrown by someone in the crowd.

On Thursday, October 2, The Associated Press obtained a letter sent to PGA of America members written by PGA of America President Don Rea Jr., in which he criticized the behavior of fans.

“Let me begin with what we must own. While the competition was spirited — especially with the US team’s rally on Sunday afternoon — some fan behavior clearly crossed the line,” Rea Jr. admitted.

“It was disrespectful, inappropriate, and not representative of who we are as the PGA of America or as PGA of America golf professionals,” he added. “We condemn that behavior unequivocally.”

Rea’s letter was a change of tune compared to his comments to the BBC on Sunday, September 28, where he said, “You’ve got 50,000 people here that are really excited, and heck, you could go to a youth soccer game and get some people who say the wrong things.”

The PGA of America CEO, Derek Sprague, also denounced the heckling in an interview with The Athletic on Wednesday, October 1.

“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 outlet. “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,” he continued. “It’s not good for any of the professional athletes, and we will do better.”

As for McMahan, 38, the PGA of America issued a statement to BBC Sport one day after the situation unfolded, saying, “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.”