Ryder Cup legend Tom Watson ashamed by what he | Golf News

“More importantly, I’d like to apologize for the rude and mean-spirited behavior from our American crowd at Bethpage. As a former player, Captain, and as an American, I am ashamed of what happened.”

Watson, 76, was a competing victor at the 1977, 1981, and 1983 variations of the Ryder Cup before main Team USA to triumph in 1993.

Spectators bombarded European rivals with what they characterised as “personal” assaults throughout the weekend. In sure instances, Americans instructed fellow followers to stop.

Photographers have been focused with water bottles, and event organizers had to threaten the removing of inebriated followers. McIlroy’s spouse, Erica Stoll, was hit by a beer can.

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“Erica is fine. She’s a strong woman,” McIlroy acknowledged. “She handled everything this week with class and poise and dignity like she always has. I love her and we’re going to have a good time celebrating [this win].

“Golf must be held to a increased customary than what was seen on the market this week. There was a lot of language that was unacceptable and abusive habits … it is a minority of the group. It’s not the bulk.”

In one instance, McIlroy responded by blowing a kiss.

Ahead of Sunday’s final day, Bradley offered a slightly different perspective. While he acknowledged that some of the comments crossed the line, he recalled the rowdy atmosphere at the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome and refused to criticize their behavior.

“I assumed the followers have been passionate,” Bradley commented. “I imply, their home staff is getting beat badly. They are passionate followers. I wasn’t in Rome, but I heard a lot of tales that Rome was fairly violent as effectively.

“But the fans of New York, from what I have seen, have been pretty good. You’re always going to have a few people that cross the line, and that’s unfortunate. I was happy to see our players trying to quieten down some people that were like that.”

Justin Thomas shared related views on the matter. “I don’t think anyone’s safety was necessarily in danger,” he said.

“There was definitely some nasty things said, but I don’t think anybody was necessarily fearing for their life or in any kind of situation where they were going to get hurt.”