Tom Watson apologizes for ‘mean-spirited behavior’ from U.S. fans at Ryder Cup
Rory McIlroy expressed his displeasure with the U.S. fans following Europe’s Ryder Cup victory Sunday at Bethpage Black Course in Farmingdale, New York.
A Yahoo Sports story noted fans shouted obscenities and insults at McIlroy and other European golfers. Yahoo said a fan at one point threw a drink at McIlroy and his wife, Erica.
“Look, I don’t think we should ever accept that in golf,” McIlroy told reporters Sunday. “I think golf should be held to a higher standard than what was seen out there this week. 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.
“Sometimes this week we didn’t see that. No, this should not be what is acceptable for the Ryder Cup.”
Tom Watson, the legendary golfer from Kansas City and former Ryder Cup captain for the United States, agreed with McIlroy. And he apologized to the European Ryder Cup team.
“I’d like to congratulate @RyderCupEurope on their victory,” Watson wrote on X. “Your team play the first few days was sensational. 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. #RyderCup”
Watson was the U.S. captain for the Ryder Cup in 1993 and 2014.
Many people who commented on Watson’s post agreed with him.
This story was originally published September 30, 2025 at 7:47 AM.
