Tom Watson, a legend of American golf, has apologised to Europeâ€s Ryder Cup contingent for the behaviour of spectators at Bethpage Black while admitting he was “ashamed†of what played out in the galleries. A dramatic European retention of the trophy, 15-13, was overshadowed by abusive behaviour towards visiting players and their families. Watsonâ€s comments come after Rory McIlroy confirmed his wife, Erica, was hit by a beer thrown by a fan.
“Iâ€d like to congratulate Europe on their victory,†said Watson on X. “Your team play the first few days was sensational. More importantly, Iâ€d like to apologise for the rude and mean-spirited behaviour from our American crowd at Bethpage. As a former player, captain and as an American I am ashamed of what happened.â€
Watson, an eight-time major winner who played in five Ryder Cups and captained the US team in 2014, also relayed his apology directly to the European team.
His comments are in stark contrast to the class of 2025. Collin Morikawa had asked for fans to bring “chaos†and the American captain, Keegan Bradley, stopped well short of properly condemning the situation at Bethpage despite police and dogs lining fairways. “I donâ€t think we should ever accept that in golf,†said McIlroy, who encountered vehement abuse towards himself and his wife.
Watsonâ€s comment shows it may take some time for dust to settle on the 45th Ryder Cup. European team celebrations, which ran long into the night, were understandably wild after a first victory on US soil since 2012.
Success under Luke Donald means Europe now favour captains for multiple Ryder Cups. Those behind the team regard it as far easier to prepare for an away staging of the event with knowledge built up from a Ryder Cup at home. His approach to captaincy in Rome two years ago and New York has been widely praised. It seems inevitable he will be involved in some capacity in the future. For now, he is not completely ruling out a third term.
Donald had taken guidance from tennis players, including the three-time US Open champion Ivan Lendl, on how to handle a New York crowd. Lendl defeated home favourite John McEnroe for the first of his victories, in 1985. Donald believed the backdrops to tennis and golf, where spectators are urged to remain quiet for shots, were the most comparable.
Rory McIlroy condemns Ryder Cup abuse after his wife was hit by a beer – video
“The weeks we spend together are the ones we remember the most and the ones we cherish the most because of the time we get to spend with each other,†he said. “Thatâ€s a big part of my captaincy, to create an environment where these guys are having the best weeks of their lives. Weâ€ll always remember this. Weâ€ll always go down in history.
“We talk about all the people that came before us that paved the way for us. Now future generations will talk about this team and what they did and how they were able to overcome one of the toughest environments in all of sport.â€
Justin Rose had been the most likely European captain for 2025 and Adare Manor in Ireland. However, Roseâ€s playing performance here may give him cause to think he could compete again in two years†time. Francesco Molinari would come into the frame in that circumstance.
It has been widely assumed Tiger Woods will succeed Bradley and lead the US, but the absence of the 15-time major winner from Bethpage raises questions over that scenario.
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