Ryder Cup MC Heather McMahan Apologizes to Rory McIlory, Resigns After Vulgar Chants

A master of ceremonies for the 2025 Ryder Cup resigned after appearing to encourage fans to make a vulgar chant toward Team Europe star Rory McIlroy.

"Heather McMahan has extended an apology to Rory McIlroy and Ryder Cup Europe and has stepped down from hosting the first tee of the Ryder Cup," the PGA of America said in a statement, per ESPN.com.

While hyping up the crowd prior to Saturday's play, McMahan purportedly said, "F--k you, Rory" into a live mic.

Atmospheres at the Ryder Cup tend to be unlike anything else in golf. Drawing the battle lines between the United States and Europe makes it easy for fans to take sides, so the host country often benefits from a home-course advantage.

The 2025 edition is no different, and the behavior of the crowd at the Bethpage Black Course has been a storyline throughout the previous two days.

"I don't mind them having a go at us, that's to be expected, that's what an away Ryder Cup is," McIlroy told reporters Saturday. "Whenever they are still doing it while you are over the ball and trying to hit your shot, that's the tough thing. You know, look, in between shots, say whatever you want to me. That's totally fine. But just give us the respect to let us hit shots. Give us the same chance that the Americans have."

Given his status, the five-time major champion seems to have been a particularly frequent target:

The unease isn't limited to the interplay between the golfers and fans.

During one of Saturday's four-ball sessions, Bryson DeChambeau's caddy walked into the view of Justin Rose as Rose was lining up a putt, drawing the ire of the Englishman.

Once the hole concluded, DeChambeau and Tommy Fleetwood had words as they walked to the next tee as Scottie Scheffler's caddy, Ted Scott got in the face of Europe vice captain Francesco Molinari.

Team Europe doesn't seem to be rattled much by the Bethpage setting. It holds a massive 11.5-4.5 lead and needs just 3.5 more points in order to retain its Ryder Cup title.