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The president of the PGA of America, who had initially dismissed misconduct directed at Europe’s players at this year’s Ryder Cup as comparable to a “youth soccer game,” has now offered a formal apology.

“Let me begin with what we need to take responsibility for. Although the event was competitive – particularly after the US team’s comeback on Sunday afternoon – certain spectator actions obviously went too far,” Don Rea Jr stated in a message to PGA of America members. “It was disrespectful, unacceptable, and not reflective of our values as the PGA of America or as golf experts. We condemn that behavior without hesitation.”

Incidents of Abuse During the Competition

During last week’s tournament, the European side faced hostile remarks. A tournament presenter resigned after she led chants of “Fuck you, Rory” aimed at Rory McIlroy, spectators shouted homophobic slurs at golfers, and spouses of athletes were insulted. McIlroy stated his wife, Erica, was hit by a beer on Saturday afternoon’s play. Europe won the Ryder Cup on Sunday after securing a 15-13 victory.

Yet, in a television appearance on Sunday morning, Rea appeared to downplay the abuse. “There were thousands of spectators here that are highly enthusiastic, and heck, you could go to a children's sports match and get some people who say the wrong things,” he said. He went on to say the conduct was disrupting American players because they had to expend effort assisting in managing the crowd.

The abuse was such that McIlroy began pushing back, telling one spectator to “shut the fuck up” in a team game on Saturday morning.

Rea also said during his media talk when asked about the abuse hurled toward McIlroy, “I haven’t heard some of that. I believe it occurred. This occurs during we’re over in Rome on the other side, and McIlroy is aware. Things like that are going to happen.”

Reactions from Europe's Players

Europe’s Matt Fitzpatrick said about the mention of Rome, “It’s pretty offensive to supporters from Europe the fact that he said that, really.” Shane Lowry said the extent of misconduct directed at McIlroy’s wife was “shocking.”

The PGA CEO, the CEO at the PGA of America, said on Tuesday that spectators overstepped boundaries and that he planned to apologize personally to Rory McIlroy and Erica McIlroy, who formerly worked at the PGA.

“McIlroy could have been singled out because of his exceptional skill, but the entire European team should not have faced that,” Sprague remarked on a sports network. “I feel badly and I aim to apologize to them.”

Additional Controversy and Apology

Rea faced backlash for an uncomfortable awards ceremony on Sunday in which he mentioned Europe had kept the trophy, instead of earning the victory.

Earlier this week, on his professional profile, Rea wrote: “I’m personally taking some negative feedback right now and that comes with the role and just like when I was an umpire I anticipated it. However to the trainees and association professionals that follow me, know this, I am unfazed.”

In Thursday’s letter, Rea was increasingly apologetic. “What makes our sport great is that we own our bogeys. We fully acknowledge this one,” Rea expressed. “Our CEO Derek Sprague has expressed regret for us to Erica and Rory McIlroy and to the European Ryder Cup organization. I would also like to offer my own apology to them and everyone for failing to uphold our association in the best light with certain remarks in the press throughout the tournament.

Although I did not mean, some of my comments were perceived negatively which damages the reputation of not only me but also on the PGA of America and for that I truly apologize.

He concluded the message, “God Bless and as always Support Team USA!”

Background and Previous Controversies

The PGA announced in 2013 it would bring the Ryder Cup at a public course, the municipal links on Long Island that had a notoriety for its raw comments directed at players. A former president was the PGA president and Pete Bevacqua was the chief executive at the time of the announcement.

The former president was forced out as president in 2014 with a month left on his two-year term for a social media post when he insultingly called Ian Poulter as a “little girl.”