Former U.S. Ryder Cup captain Tom Watson mentioned Monday he’s “ashamed” of the “impolite” habits of American followers attending the showpiece golf competitors in New York this weekend.
A poisonous ambiance engulfed Bethpage Black in Lengthy Island as Europe’s Ryder Cup crew endured slurs and private insults on their strategy to a 15-13 victory over the hosts.
The Ryder Cup is famed for its rowdy followers, which distinction to the genteel crowds usually drawn to the game. However many commentators consider a minority of U.S. supporters crossed a line throughout the three-day contest.
Watson, the eight-time main title winner who captained the U.S. crew in 1993 and 2014, was amongst these to weigh because the mud settled on Europe’s second successive victory.
On X, Watson congratulated Workforce Europe for the win, earlier than including, “Extra importantly, I’d prefer to apologize for the impolite and mean-spirited habits from our American crowd at Bethpage.”
“As a former participant, Captain and as an American, I’m ashamed of what occurred,” he added.
Northern Eire’s Rory McIlroy was on the receiving finish of a few of the worst and most private abuse, and his spouse was even hit by a cup of beer thrown from the gang.
On Saturday, McIlroy instructed boisterous followers to “shut the fuck up” as they shouted whereas he ready a shot.
At one stage, McIlroy’s teammate, Shane Lowry, reportedly referred to as over a state trooper to have a fan eliminated for aiming a remark at McIlroy earlier than he hit a drive.
And the animosity unfold past the gang.
One of many occasion’s emcees, comic Heather McMahan, stepped down and apologized after becoming a member of in a “fuck you, Rory” chant aimed on the 36-year-old.
McIlroy later referred to as out the hostile New York crowd for “unacceptable and abusive habits.”
“I don’t suppose we should always ever settle for that in golf,” McIlroy instructed reporters at a press convention Sunday following Europe’s victory. “I feel golf must be held to a better commonplace than what was seen on the market this week.”
On Saturday, present U.S. captain Keegan Bradley defended the house crowd as “passionate” whereas admitting “just a few individuals” did “cross the road.”
“And that’s unlucky,” he added.
President Donald Trump visited Bethpage Black on Friday and led spectators in a “USA!” chant.
After sealing victory on Sunday, Workforce Europe had been filmed taunting Trump by borrowing a well-known soccer chant, yelling: “Are you watching Donald Trump?”
“Sure, I’m watching,” the president wrote on Truth Social. “Congratulations!”
