PGA of America Pres. Apologizes to Rory McIlroy, Europe for Fans' Ryder Cup Behavior

After initially failing to apologize and drawing criticism for some of his responses, PGA of America president Don Rea Jr. wrote an email Thursday to 30,000-plus PGA of America members apologizing for the fans' behavior at Bethpage Black during the Ryder Cup.

Doug Ferguson of the Associated Press reported on the letter, which apologized to Team Europe and Rory McIlroy in particular, and relayed parts of it:

"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. 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."

Ferguson detailed some of the behavior from the fans at the tournament that included derogatory chants toward McIlroy, vulgar language, a beer being slapped from someone's hand toward McIlroy's wife and more. 

It reached a point that McIlroy yelled back "shut the [expletive] up" at a fan during Saturday's competition. 

Shane Lowry called the chants and attention directed toward McIlroy's wife, Erica, "astonishing."

Rea was criticized for an interview with BBC in which 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."

He also said he hadn't heard the derision toward McIlroy but that "It happens when we're over in Rome on the other side, and Rory understands. Things like that are going to happen."

Matt Fitzpatrick responded to that interview by saying, "It's pretty offensive to European fans the fact that he said that, really."

Perhaps some of that criticism motivated Thursday's apology, which came four days after the event ended Sunday.

Europe seized control of the Ryder Cup in the first two days and then held on for a 15-13 victory after the United States made something of a late charge in Sunday's singles competition. It has now won six of the last eight Ryder Cups and was particularly impressive in its latest performance considering it was on the road in front of a hostile crowd.

Despite being the target for much of the verbal abuse from American fans, McIlroy played well throughout the event. 

While he lost to Scottie Scheffler in Sunday's singles competition, he won his foursome and four-ball matches on Saturday after winning in foursomes and splitting in four-ball on Friday.