McIlroy and Erica Stoll to receive apology after | Golf News

Rory McIlroy and Erica Stoll are poised to receive a formal apology from the PGA of America following the hostile treatment they confronted during the Ryder Cup. The environment was charged at Bethpage Black last weekend, with McIlroy and his European teammates confronting relentless verbal assaults from spectators.

The scenario intensified when a fan hurled a drink at McIlroy’s spouse, Stoll, as hostilities between gamers and the group reached a boiling level. In response to these troubling occasions, PGA of America chief Derek Sprague has announced his intention to ship a written apology to both Stoll and McIlroy.

“I do plan on sending them an email with my heartfelt apologies for what occurred. There’s no place for that in the Ryder Cup or in the game of golf,” Sprague said. “I can’t wait to reach out to Rory and Erica and really, quite frankly, the entire European team.

“The entire European workforce shouldn’t have been subjected to that. And because of that, I really feel badly and I plan on apologizing to them. When it began in 1927, it was about sportsmanship and integrity of the sport, and that’s what we would like it to be and continue to.”

This development follows Tyrrell Hatton’s sharp criticism of Keegan Bradley’s characterization of the crowd’s conduct at Bethpage Black as merely “passionate” backing, with the Team USA captain also asserting he had “heard a lot of tales that Rome was fairly violent as properly” regarding the previous tournament in 2023. 

During a press conference ahead of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, the English golfer contended: “Personally, I do not suppose they have been close at all.

‘With what I heard last week, I do not suppose Rome comes anyplace close to that. To be trustworthy, personally, I do not agree with what they said there. I do not know what else to add to that. I believe they (Rome and Bethpage) are fairly far aside to be trustworthy.”

Regarding the antagonistic spectators at Bethpage Black, where Team Europe secured a 15-13 victory over Team USA, Hatton continued: “I do not actually suppose that the insults is the way in which ahead. I might a lot want it to be a respectful environment – you let the fellows play and the best workforce wins, slightly than making an attempt to have an effect on the result by making an attempt to put off gamers. But I do not suppose it is going to be as hostile (in 2027) as possibly as it was last week. I would love to suppose that it is going to be very respectful.”

PGA Tour stalwart Tommy Fleetwood also reflected on his experience representing Team Europe on American soil: “There is a big distinction between a hostile atmosphere and personal feedback.

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“Again, I think we were all prepared for it. Personal comments can go too far, and you obviously hope that that doesn’t happen again, or it shouldn’t happen, but it is just so out of our control.”

Team USA fell short in the Ryder Cup, with Team Europe clinching a 15-13 victory. The home workforce struggled in the foursomes and fourballs classes on Friday and Saturday, but made an spectacular comeback during Sunday’s singles, practically turning an 111⁄2-41⁄2 deficit into a win.

However, Shane Lowry ensured Europe held onto the title they received in Rome two years prior by just managing to draw with Russell Henley, inflicting many American followers to head for the exits. Hatton then secured the win for the guests with his own draw against Collin Morikawa.