Rory McIlroy said PGA of America CEO Derek Sprague sent him a personal apology for the abuse directed at him and his wife during their European Ryder Cup victory in New York.
Europe held off a fierce American fightback at Bethpage Black, and the Americans fell just short, going into the final session 12-5 before coming back in the singles.
Luke Donald’s team, and McIlroy in particular, were treated badly throughout the three days, with a beer thrown from the crowd hitting McIlroy’s wife Erica in the hat.
But McIlroy later received a “nice letter” from Sprague trying to smooth things over.
“I got a nice email from Derek Sprague apologizing,” McIlroy told BBC Sport while preparing for the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.
“Erica used to work with Derek at the PGA of America, so we know Derek and his wife well.
“He couldn’t have been more polite and apologetic and wrote us a lovely letter, which we really appreciate.”
U.S. captain Keegan Bradley refused to blame Bethpage’s “passionate” home fans, who McIlroy felt was the hostile atmosphere that was actually stirring up Europe.
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Rory McIlroy criticized the US crowd at Bethpage after a series of unpleasant incidents at the Ryder Cup.
“I take it as a compliment that they targeted me, but at the same time it’s been a tough week,” McIlroy said.
“It made us better as a team. It energized us and really put our arms around each other.”
Masters champion McIlroy is looking to close out a memorable year as he prepares for the season finale at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.
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Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry and Justin Rose all experienced the raucous Ryder Cup atmosphere during their singles matches.
“I remember the last time I was here, starting in January 2025, and what has happened since then,” said McIlroy, who also won the Players Championship, Pebble Beach Pro-Am and Irish Open.
“Honestly, I never dreamed that a year like this would be possible, but it has been an amazing 10 months.”
Meanwhile, McIlroy reflected on LIV Golf’s recent changes from a three-round format to a 72-hole format, in line with the traditional four-round format, in order to be recognized by the World Golf Rankings.
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Rory McIlroy had some harsh words for the American crowd before hitting one of this week’s shots on the 16th hole of the Ryder Cup.
“I think it’s a strange move because I think they could have gotten ranking points with three rounds. I don’t think the third versus fourth round held them back,” McIlroy said.
“It certainly puts them more in line with traditional golf tournaments than what we’ve all been doing. It brings them back to not really being disruptors and in some ways more in line with what everyone else is doing.”
“The strength of their field will be very weak and many players have already fallen down the rankings because they haven’t had them for a long time, so I don’t know if the ranking points will really benefit them.”
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Rory McIlroy described LIV Golf’s decision to expand the event to 72 holes as “strange”, with the circuit set to better fit golf’s traditional tours by changing from three rounds to four.
What’s next?
McIlroy will return to action at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship from November 6-9 and the DP World Tour Championship from November 13-16, both of which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. Get Sky Sports now and stream without a contract.
