Ryder Cup Spectator Misconduct Sparks Apologies After Europe’s 2025 Victory

The 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black saw Team Europe win 15-13 amid significant controversy over unruly and abusive behavior from the American home crowd, especially directed at European players like Rory McIlroy and his wife Erica. McIlroy described the verbal abuse and thrown objects as "unacceptable," while teammate Shane Lowry called the treatment of McIlroy's wife "astonishing." American player Collin Morikawa, who had earlier called for "absolute chaos" to energize the crowd, clarified that his comments were taken out of context and that he did not intend for fans to be rude or abusive. Although Morikawa acknowledged that the crowd "probably crossed a line," he denied responsibility for inciting the negative behavior, emphasizing that Ryder Cups are meant to have high energy and patriotic pride. The PGA of America apologized for the fan conduct and increased security during the tournament, highlighting the difficulty of managing crowd behavior in such an intense sporting environment. Morikawa stressed that while fans can express themselves, there is a line that should not be crossed, given golf's uniquely close interaction between players and spectators.