Two-time U.S. Ryder Cup captain Tom Watson on Monday apologized to the successful European crew for the habits of American followers at Bethpage Black.
“I would wish to congratulate @RyderCupEurope on their victory,” Watson posted to X. “Your crew play the primary few days was sensational. Extra importantly, I would wish 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.”
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The 76-year-old Watson, who counts 5 Open Championship wins amongst his eight main titles, performed on 4 Ryder Cup groups. He was the successful captain of the U.S. crew in 1993 in England, and the shedding captain for the U.S. within the 2014 matches in Scotland.
The European crew, and Rory McIlroy specifically, have been the goal of fixed heckling and insults — some directed at his spouse and household — over the three-day occasion in Farmingdale, New York. Oftentimes, the jeers befell as he was within the technique of hitting a shot, and it prompted delays and prompted the PGA of America so as to add additional safety.
“I do not suppose we must always ever settle for that in golf,” McIlroy stated Sunday after Europe completed off a 15-13 win in opposition to the US. “… I believe golf needs to be held to a better normal than what was seen on the market this week.”
McIlroy later added: “There was lots of language that was unacceptable and abusive habits.”
A video on social media confirmed Lowry having to be held again by his caddie as a fan stated one thing earlier than McIlroy hit a drive Saturday. One other video confirmed McIlroy strolling along with his spouse, Erica, when a beer seemed to be thrown of their route and hit her.
U.S. crew member Justin Thomas, after witnessing the verbal abuse directed towards McIroy and Shane Lowry on Satuday, stated “we felt for them.”
“It was unlucky,” Thomas stated. “Cam [Young] and I simply wished that we gave them one thing to cheer for as an alternative of individuals to cheer in opposition to. I believe that was type of the principle consensus of the final two days, that we weren’t giving them sufficient to cheer for, they usually have been simply attempting to assist us win. I assume that is the New York followers for you.”
ESPN’s Paolo Uggetti contributed to this report.
