PGA chief facing backlash for car crash Rory McIlroy abuse interview | Golf | Sport
Supporters have criticised Don Rea, the PGA of America president, for his reaction to the disgusting abuse aimed at Rory McIlroy and his management of the trophy ceremony at the Ryder Cup. Team Europe persevered despite a determined fightback from Team USA to claim the Ryder Cup 16.5-11.5, with Shane Lowry holing the crucial putt that secured the Europeans’ retention of the trophy.
Although Team Europe triumphed in the Ryder Cup decisively, Rea stated during the ceremony that they had merely retained the prize. McIlroy and his European colleagues faced savage heckling and personal attacks from spectators at Bethpage Black, and demanded action following their Ryder Cup victory.
Prior to Sunday’s concluding round, Rea seemed to brush off the heckling, acknowledging that it’s “going to happen” during the Ryder Cup.
Whilst Rea may have mishandled the trophy ceremony in Rome, a Sunday morning interview has subsequently become widely shared.
When questioned about spectator conduct following a hostile second day at the Ryder Cup, Rea told BBC: “Things like that are going to happen.”
The PGA of America president then made comparisons to other sports, arguing that it’s not exclusively a golfing problem.
“Well, you have 50,000 people there that are really excited and – heck – you can go to a youth soccer game and get some people who say the wrong things,” he added.
“We tell fans that booing somebody doesn’t make them play worse; typically, it makes them play better. So our message today, to everybody out here, is: cheer on the Americans like never before because that will always get them to play better. Get them out of crowd control and let them perform.”
When questioned directly about the harassment directed at McIlroy, Rea responded: “I haven’t heard some of that – I’m sure it’s happened. It happened when we were in Rome on the other side, and Rory understands.
“I thought he handled the press conferences amazingly. Things like that are going to happen, and I don’t know what was said.
“But all I know is golf is the engine of good.”
Following Rea’s remarks about McIlroy and his address during the ceremony, supporters expressed alarm and demanded his resignation from the position.
“Totally classless speech by saying Europe had RETAINED the Ryder Cup, (they won it), he looked like a bitter little man. Resign!” one fan posted on X.
“PGA should have acted quicker and the speech from Don Rea was a disgrace… should resign,” another commented.
“I find this deeply disappointing,” a further supporter wrote on X. “Our game is built on values of respect, integrity, and inclusion – not ignorance or dismissiveness.
“It has to change, otherwise the event will lose its reputation,” another added.
“He should be resigning over the whole episode. An absolute plum,” one supporter declared. “That’s an ignorant and insulting response to horrific behaviour. Don Rea embarrassed himself and the PGA,” another wrote.
McIlroy’s wife, Erica Stoll, was also subjected to unacceptable conduct when a fan hurled a beverage towards her.
This article first appeared on Mirror US.
