PGA of America chief executive Derek Sprague is to apologize to Rory McIlroy and his wife Erica following the abuse they and the rest of the European team received at the Ryder Cup which “crossed the line”.
The World No. 2 held the brunt of the abuse from the hostile American crowd throughout the three days at Bethpage Black as him and his team held off a spirited U.S. comeback to retain the Ryder Cup with a 15-13 victory last weekend.
His wife Erica was also subject to alcohol being thrown at her on the 17th tee on the Saturday.
On occasions, McIlroy hit back at the crowd, swearing and making offensive gestures back to certain spectators in the crowd as well as refusing to play before the crowd quietened down.
Earlier in the week, McIlroy hit out on the fan behaviour calling it “unacceptable and abusive”.
“I chirped back because it got to me a few times, but we tried to handle everything that came our way with class and poise, and for the most part, I felt like we did that,” he said.
Speaking to Golf Channel, Sprague said: “It’s unfortunate that people crossed the line last week.
“There’s no place for that in the Ryder Cup or the game of golf. I heard Rory say it, we’re better than that in golf.
“That’s one thing our game has always portrayed when you compare us to other sports is that golf is a great game and people enjoy the game because of the values that golf has.”
Sprague states that he plans on apologizing to McIlroy and his family.
“I haven’t spoken to Rory or Erica [McIlroy], I do plan on sending them an e-mail with my heartfelt apologies because of what occurred.
“I can’t wait to reach out to Rory and Erica, and really the entire European team.
“Rory might have been a target because of how good he is, but the entire European team should not have been subjected to that. I feel badly and I plan on apologising to them.”