PGA of America president Don Rea Jr. has apologized for his handling of the abusive fan behavior that marred last weekend’s Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black. His remarks come days after he drew criticism for downplaying the hostility directed at Europe’s players, particularly Rory McIlroy.
In a letter sent Thursday to more than 30,000 PGA of America members, Rea admitted that “some fan behavior clearly crossed the line” and called it “disrespectful, inappropriate, and not representative of who we are.”
Profanity and Abuse Marred the Competition
The Ryder Cup ended with Europe defeating the U.S. 15-13, securing its sixth victory in the past eight editions. But the competition was overshadowed by an unruly crowd that repeatedly targeted McIlroy.
Fans chanted expletives as his image appeared on screens, while video circulated of a beer being knocked out of his wife Erica’s hand. Even a comedian hired to hype the crowd joined in chants laced with profanity.
McIlroy responded by telling one spectator to “shut the (expletive) up” during Saturday morning foursomes, while both he and teammate Shane Lowry later confronted the gallery following their afternoon win.
Rea’s Initial Dismissal Draws Backlash
Rea faced sharp criticism for a BBC interview in which he likened the Ryder Cup atmosphere to a “youth soccer game” where people say “the wrong things.” He also suggested that crowd behavior distracted American players, who felt obligated to intervene.
When pressed about the abuse directed specifically at McIlroy, Rea said he had not personally heard it, adding that similar behavior happens when “we’re over in Rome.”
Those remarks angered Europe’s players. Matt Fitzpatrick called the comparison to Rome “offensive,” while Lowry said the level of abuse against McIlroy’s wife was “astonishing.”
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PGA Leadership Responds
PGA of America CEO Derek Sprague acknowledged on Golf Channel that fans had crossed the line and promised a personal apology to McIlroy and his wife.
“Rory might have been a target because of how good he is, but the entire European team should not have been subjected to that,” Sprague said.
Rea, meanwhile, attempted to clarify his stance in his letter. “What makes our sport great is that we own our bogeys. We certainly own this one,” he wrote, offering a direct apology to McIlroy, his wife, and Ryder Cup Europe.
An Embattled Presidency
The apology follows a difficult week for Rea, who also came under fire for an awkward trophy presentation in which he mistakenly said Europe had “retained” the cup instead of winning it.
On LinkedIn, he addressed the criticism, writing: “I’m personally taking some criticism right now and that comes with the role… know this, I am not bothered.” He linked to a past sermon and signed off with the phrase: “New level. New devil.”
In his letter to PGA members, however, Rea acknowledged that his earlier public comments reflected poorly on the organization. “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 apologize.”
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Looking Ahead to Bethpage
The 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black had been anticipated for years, with the course long known for its passionate—and sometimes abrasive—New York crowds. The event’s fallout has already renewed scrutiny over how fan behavior is managed at major tournaments.
Rea closed his letter by reaffirming his support for the U.S. team: “God Bless and as always, Go U.S.A!”
