Former U.S. Ryder Cup captain Tom Watson said Monday he is “ashamed” of the “rude” behavior of American fans attending the showpiece golf competition in New York this weekend.
A toxic atmosphere engulfed Bethpage Black in Long Island as Europe’s Ryder Cup team endured slurs and personal insults on their way to a 15-13 victory over the hosts.
The Ryder Cup is famed for its rowdy fans, which contrast to the genteel crowds typically drawn to the sport. But many commentators believe a minority of U.S. supporters crossed a line during the three-day contest.
Watson, the eight-time major title winner who captained the U.S. team in 1993 and 2014, was among those to weigh as the dust settled on Europe’s second successive victory.
On X, Watson congratulated Team Europe for the win, before adding, “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,” he added.
Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy was on the receiving end of some of the worst and most personal abuse, and his wife was even hit by a cup of beer thrown from the crowd.
On Saturday, McIlroy told boisterous fans to “shut the fuck up” as they shouted while he prepared a shot.
At one stage, McIlroy’s teammate, Shane Lowry, reportedly called over a state trooper to have a fan removed for aiming a comment at McIlroy before he hit a drive.
And the animosity spread beyond the crowd.
One of the event’s emcees, comedian Heather McMahan, stepped down and apologized after joining in a “fuck you, Rory” chant aimed at the 36-year-old.
McIlroy later called out the hostile New York crowd for “unacceptable and abusive behavior.”
“I don’t think we should ever accept that in golf,” McIlroy told reporters at a press conference Sunday following Europe’s victory. “I think golf should be held to a higher standard than what was seen out there this week.”
On Saturday, current U.S. captain Keegan Bradley defended the home crowd as “passionate” while admitting “a few people” did “cross the line.”
“And that’s unfortunate,” he added.
President Donald Trump visited Bethpage Black on Friday and led spectators in a “USA!” chant.
After sealing victory on Sunday, Team Europe were filmed taunting Trump by borrowing a famous soccer chant, yelling: “Are you watching Donald Trump?”
“Yes, I’m watching,” the president wrote on Truth Social. “Congratulations!”
