Rory McIlroy and Erica Stoll have received an official apology from the PGA of America after being subjected to an onslaught of abuse at the Ryder Cup.
The couple was targeted by American fans at the contest, with one person even throwing a drink at Erica as she walked out behind her golf star husband.
PGA of America chief, Derek Sprague, revealed he has apologised to the couple for the abuse they were subjected to on behalf of the governing body, adding that he is ‘disappointed’ by the way some fans behaved.
‘I sent a long email to share with Rory and Erica and just told him that we will do better in the future,’ Derek told The Athletic on Wednesday.
‘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. It’s not good for any of the professional athletes, and we will do better.’
He added: ‘I’m disappointed in fan behavior, disappointed in the first tee and the emcee, that it’s just that’s not who we are. ‘And I was just really, really, really disappointed.’
One of the event’s announcers, Heather McMahan, stepped down from her job after leading a chant of ‘F*** you, Rory!’ at the event.
Meanwhile, a spectator threw a beer at Erica’s head, with video footage showing the flying beverage bouncing off the back of her sunhat as she turns around with a shocked look on her face.
The pair were also subjected to taunts about their marriage, while many onlookers brought up Rory’s ex-fiancée, Caroline Wozniacki.
The Down man spoke out against the behaviour, saying: ‘I don’t think we should ever accept that in golf.
‘I think golf should be held to a higher standard than what was seen out there this week. Golf has the ability to unite people. Golf teaches you very good life lessons.’
‘It teaches you etiquette. It teaches you how to play by the rules. It teaches you how to respect people. Sometimes this week, we didn’t see that. So no, this should not be what is acceptable in the Ryder Cup,’ Rory said.
