McIlroy says Europe silenced critics with class in Ryder Cup victory
Rory McIlroy called for more respect in golf, saying the Ryder Cup should unite fans, not divide them.
PGA
- Player was disgusted by vulgar chants directed at European players, including Rory McIlroy.
- Player believes the behavior is a stain on golf’s reputation as a gentleman’s sport.
JUPITER ISLAND — Gary Player agrees with Tom Watson, the Hall of Famer golfer who recently said he was “ashamed” of the behavior of the fans at the Ryder Cup.
Player’s criticism of the event held at Bethpage Black in New York in September and won by Europe, 15-13, was heartfelt and personal, believing it was a stain on the game he loves.
And everything the sport does not stand for.
“I look at it and I’m in a state of shock,” Player, who lives on Jupiter Island, told The Palm Beach Post. “I think, what would Ben Hogan have said, you know? What would Byron Nelson have said? What would Arnold Palmer … If Arnold Palmer saw that today …
“I was disgusted,” he later added. “So to me, the Ryder Cup is a shambles.”
Player, who turns 90 on Nov. 1, is South African. So he never was allowed to play in the Ryder Cup, a biennial event pairing the United States against Europe. And he understands the Ryder Cup is a different beast, that cheering for the home team and teasing and jeering the opponent are accepted. But the U.S. fans took that to another level last month.
“I love the fact that they say ‘USA, USA.’ I love (how) the British respond in their way. I think that’s exciting,” said Player, who continues to call the United States the greatest country in the world. “But the Ryder Cup to me is the worst event in the world.
“And to see a (PGA of America) hire a lady to stand on the tee — if you want to call her a lady — and saying ‘F you Rory. F this European team.’ Are we crazy? And then the head of the (PGA of America) says, what was so serious about it?”
Comedian and podcaster Heather McMahan was hired by the PGA of America as master of ceremonies at the first tee to energize the crowd. She started vulgar chants, directed at Rory McIlroy, who is from Northern Ireland and lives in Jupiter. The PGA of America issued an apology.
Those chants and personal attacks continued throughout the weekend and McIlroy and his fourballs partner, Shane Lowry, at times shouted back four-letter responses to the crowd.
PGA of America president Don Rea Jr. initially compared the unruly fan behavior to what is seen at a youth soccer game. He later apologized for those remarks.
“Golf has never been that,” Player said. “Golf has been a gentleman’s sport. So, and to see that, and to see the players using this ‘F’ word, I mean, the whole lot.”
Player cited two players he “admired” for their class: Scottie Scheffler of the U.S. and Europe’s Tommy Fleetwood.
Tom Watson apologizes for fan behavior at Ryder Cup: ‘I am ashamed’
Watson, who played on four Ryder Cup teams and served as the U.S. captain twice, congratulated the Europeans for their victory on social media before stating his disappointment in the fans.
“I’d like to congratulate @RyderCupEuropeon their victory,” he wrote. “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.”
Player was at the Ryder Cup on the first day of competition and was stopped by a man who was with his two teenaged children. The man was appalled by the fans’ behavior and language and told Player he will not attend another Ryder Cup.
“Is that what you want to go and see? I mean, can you imagine?,” said Player, who has 22 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. “I’ve got all these children. If I had to sit there and hear that, I don’t know what I’d do.”
Player says he continues to be “proud” of the PGA of America and praised the PGA of America golf professionals for the work they do. He added this is “setback” for them and how coaches on the amateur level and club professionals can play a role in changing certain behaviors.
“If their young players swear and misbehave, don’t put them on a team,” Player said. “And tell them about the game. Because … the next era could become a lot worse if we’re not careful.”
Tom D’Angelo is a senior sports columnist and reporter for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at tdangelo@pbpost.com.
