Don Rea has apologised for failing to condemn US fans who directed abuse at Team Europe players during the Ryder Cup, as Rory McIlroy and his family were targeted heavily over the course of the weekend
PGA president Don Rea has finally apologised for failing to criticise the actions of US fans at the Ryder Cup. The atmosphere was ugly at Bethpage Black as Team Europe stormed to a 15-13 win to reclaim the title they secured in Rome two years ago.
While verbal abuse directed at Luke Donald’s men was rife, tensions especially bubbled over when Rory McIlroy’s wife, Erica Stoll, allegedly saw a beverage thrown at her by a member of the crowd. However, Rea failed to condemn the actions of certain spectators during an interview with the BBC in the aftermath of the tournament.
Asked if a line had been crossed, he said: “Well, you’ve 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,” before adding: “I haven’t heard some of that, I’m sure it’s happened,” when quizzed on abuse directed at McIlroy.
He continued: “It happened when we were in Rome on the other side. 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.”
When Rea faced a wealth of backlash for his comments made to the press, he then took to LinkedIn to defend his decision to say what he did. He wrote: “I’m personally taking some criticism right now and that comes with the role and just like when I was an umpire I expect it.
“However to the students and PGA members that follow me, know this, I am not bothered. I know who I ultimately serve. When I wrote this sermon three years ago I meant it and today I am living it. The truth is still the truth. New level. New devil.”
It now appears as though Rea has changed his tune, however, as the PGA face mounting pressure to remove him from his position. In an email sent to the PGA of America’s membership on Thursday, seen by Bunkered, he wrote: “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 behaviour clearly crossed the line. It was disrespectful, inappropriate, and not representative of who we are as the PGA or as PGA of America Golf Professionals.
“We condemn that behaviour unequivocally. What makes our sport great is that we own our bogeys. We certainly own this one. Our CEO Derek Sprague has apologised on our behalf to Erica and Rory McIlroy and to everyone with Ryder Cup Europe.
“I would also like to apologise personally 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 apologise.”
He continued: “Moving forward, we will continue to promote the passionate and respectful support for both teams, and we’ll evaluate ways to more quickly identify and remove those few who discredit the Ryder Cup and the game of golf through personal or derogatory remarks.”
It comes after PGA chief Derek Sprague issued a personal apology of his own to McIlroy and his wife after the abuse they received at the weekend. He said: “I do plan on sending them an email with my heartfelt apologies for what occurred.
“There’s no place for that in the Ryder Cup or in the game of golf. I can’t wait to reach out to Rory and Erica and really, quite frankly, the entire European team.
“The whole European team should not have been subjected to that. And because of that, I feel badly and I plan on apologising to them. When it started in 1927, it was about sportsmanship and integrity of the game, and that’s what we want it to be and continue to.”
