![\"Rory](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/0_Ryder-Cup-2025-Singles-Matches.jpg\")
Rory McIlroy and his wife Erica were abused during the Ryder Cup(Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\nRory McIlroy and his wife Erica were relentlessly targeted by sections of the crowd at Bethpage during Europe’s historic victory over the United States at the Ryder CupRory McIlroy and his wife Erica were abused during the Ryder Cup(Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Rory McIlroy says he received an official apology after he and his wife Erica<\/a> were subjected to abuse<\/a> during the Ryder Cup. McIlroy<\/a> was relentlessly targeted by sections of the home crowd in New York during Europe\u2019s historic victory<\/a> in September.<\/p>\n Rowdy US supporters bombarded the Northern Irishman with abuse over the three days while Erica was bit by a beer thrown by a fan. After the competition was over, McIlroy said the unsavoury scenes had \u201covershadowed\u201d Europe\u2019s 15-13 win at Bethpage.<\/p>\n He memorably said that \u201cgolf<\/a> should be held to a higher standard\u201d, while PGA of America chief executive Derek Sprague promised to apologise for the personal heckling, which aimed to distract him on the course. Speaking ahead of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, McIlroy revealed the outcome of that promise.<\/p>\n \u201cI got a lovely email from Derek Sprague apologising,\u201d McIlroy told BBC Sport<\/a>. \u201cErica worked with Derek at the PGA of America back in the day so we know Derek and his wife pretty well. He couldn’t have been more gracious or apologetic and he wrote us a lovely letter, which we really appreciated.\u201d<\/p>\n READ MORE: Rory McIlroy disagrees with Jon Rahm and can’t get head around LIV Golf announcement<\/a>READ MORE: ‘I immediately targeted Rory McIlroy after Ryder Cup snub – he’ll want to show me up’<\/a><\/p>\n Speaking to the Golf Channel back in October, Sprague said: \u201cIt’s unfortunate that people crossed the line last week. There’s no place for that in the Ryder Cup or the game of golf. I heard Rory say it, we’re better than that in golf.<\/p>\n \u201cThat’s one thing our game has always portrayed when you compare us to other sports is that golf is a great game and people enjoy the game because of the values that golf has.\u201d<\/p>\n McIlroy bore the brunt of the abuse during the Ryder Cup and at one point refused to play a shot until his concentration was respected. \u201cI take it as a compliment that they targeted me,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cBut then at the same time, it was a tough week. That made us better as a team. It galvanised us and it really put our arms around each other.\u201d<\/p>\n In his press conference after Europe\u2019s win was confirmed, McIlroy said: \u201cLook, 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.<\/p>\n “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.<\/p>\n \u201cSometimes this week we didn’t see that. So no, this should not be what is acceptable in the Ryder Cup. But, we will be making sure to say to our fans in Ireland in 2027 that what happened here this week is not acceptable. Come and support your home team.\u201d<\/p>\n Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package<\/p>\n This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more<\/a> \u00a349<\/p>\n \u00a335<\/p>\n Sky<\/p>\n![\"Rory](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/0_GettyImages-2237763682.jpg\")
Rory McIlroy was pumped up by the home crowd’s abuse(Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"Content](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0_Sky-Factbox.jpg\")
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