The week after the Ryder Cup is sometimes just as juicy as what happens during Ryder Cup week. GOLF\u2019s writers and editors break down the fallout from Bethpage Black, the reaction to unruly fans, who should captain next, and more.<\/p>\n
In the days after Europe\u2019s Ryder Cup victory at Bethpage Black, much of the conversation has focused on the fans<\/a>, the heckling and the reaction to it, by players, golf legends, organizers and more. Is the Ryder Cup experience out of control? Or is some of this overblown?<\/p>\n Jessica Marksbury, senior editor (@jess_marksbury<\/a>): Loud and partisan crowds are what makes the Ryder Cup fun, but it sounds like this year things went over the top. The kind of vitriol that was reported is against the spirit of the event \u2014 and the sport itself \u2014 and that\u2019s a shame, because rowdy atmospheres can and should still be respectful. It\u2019s what makes tournaments like the WM Phoenix Open so beloved. But there\u2019s obviously a fine line there.<\/p>\n Sean Zak, senior writer (@sean_zak<\/a>): Wouldn\u2019t call it \u201cout of control,\u201d but rather \u201cun-controlled.\u201d Event organizers clearly did not have the proper protocols in place to manage for unrelenting verbal abuse. I think you saw that in their removing certain hecklers from certain pairings. I.e. it\u2019s okay to take your absurd show to another part of the property, rather than expelling them period. I\u2019m not going to act like it\u2019s simple \u2014 but I think there wasn\u2019t enough control, and we\u2019d benefit to see more of it four years from now at Hazeltine.\u00a0<\/p>\n Jack Hirsh, associate equipment editor (@JR_HIRSHey<\/a>): I think Rory McIlroy\u2019s comments on Sunday night hit the nail on the head. Golf can hold itself to higher standard. The Ryder Cup and the Phoenix Open are the only tournaments of the year where you even hear boos on the course. How it could devolve so far for people to be calling McIlroy slurs and throwing things at his wife, not to mention people screaming while Euro players were over shots? There\u2019s a clear and obvious line and it was crossed and fans who took part in that should be ashamed of themselves.<\/p>\n If something does need to be changed, what\u2019s the move?<\/p>\n Zak: Better communication \u2014 including from the captain \u2014 better messaging by the emcee<\/a>, better precedents set early in the week, etc. Oh, and when it seems to be brewing, get out ahead of it. On Saturday morning rather than Monday morning. Talking to fans waiting half-a-hole ahead of the groups receiving the worst of it. That wasn\u2019t happening.<\/p>\n Marksbury: Blatantly disruptive behavior should not be tolerated, full stop. There needs to be enough staff members in place to identify instigators and remove them \u2014 not to a new spot on the course, but off the property.\u00a0<\/p>\n Hirsh: These are both good, but I saw a tweet on Monday I agree with. Because the pricing of tickets at this Ryder Cup was so absurd, the only people who could afford had no fear of retribution of what they did. I think the PGA priced out the very people who would have appreciated the chance to watch the Ryder Cup.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n “><\/p>\n