Overview

• Stefan Schauffele confirmed he will not attend the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, saying he fears hostile fan conduct after witnessing insults at the 2021 Whistling Straits matches.
• He described Rory McIlroy’s 2023 confrontation with caddie Joe LaCava in Rome as “disgusting” and said such internal tensions have eroded his appetite for the event.
• Padraig Harrington warned that toxic crowds have included spitting and unrepeatable taunts, raising concerns about the safety of players and their families.
• Observers argue that a string of hostile incidents and high-profile disputes have undermined the Ryder Cup’s long-standing traditions of respect and sportsmanship.
• Organizers now face mounting pressure to introduce reforms that curb abusive behavior and safeguard the competition’s core values before September’s match.