Two-time U.S. Ryder Cup captain Tom Watson on Monday apologized to the profitable European crew for the conduct of American followers at Bethpage Black.
“I would prefer to congratulate @RyderCupEurope on their victory,” Watson posted to X. “Your crew play the primary few days was sensational. Extra importantly, I would prefer to apologize for the impolite and mean-spirited conduct 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 profitable 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 particularly, had 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 occurred as he was within the strategy of hitting a shot, and it brought on delays and prompted the PGA of America so as to add additional safety.
“I do not suppose we should always ever settle for that in golf,” McIlroy stated Sunday after Europe completed off a 15-13 win towards the USA. “… I feel golf needs to be held to a better customary than what was seen on the market this week.”
McIlroy later added: “There was a number of language that was unacceptable and abusive conduct.”
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 gave the impression to be thrown of their path 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 towards. I feel that was sort of the primary consensus of the final two days, that we weren’t giving them sufficient to cheer for, they usually had been simply making an attempt to assist us win. I assume that is the New York followers for you.”
ESPN’s Paolo Uggetti contributed to this report.
