Overview

• Derek Sprague said fans "crossed the line" at Bethpage Black and said he will issue a personal apology to Rory McIlroy, his wife Erica, and Team Europe.
• PGA president Don Rea downplayed the crowd behavior by comparing it to Rome 2023, drawing public rebukes from Matt Fitzpatrick and Tyrrell Hatton.
• Rea’s subsequent social media message saying he was "not bothered" fueled criticism of the PGA of America’s handling of the situation.
• Event emcee Heather McMahan apologized and stepped down after joining an expletive chant about McIlroy, while organizers deployed extra police during play to calm the crowd.
• McIlroy said golf should hold a higher standard after heckling and a thrown drink struck Erica McIlroy, as commentators like Paul Azinger questioned his own use of profanity in response.