Fans BLAST Don Rea as PGA of America President Claims of Not Hearing Any Verbal Abuse Against Rory McIlroy at 2025 Ryder Cup: “He Needs Sacking Quickly”

The PGA of America President, Don Rea, seemingly defended the fan behavior at the Ryder Cup and expressed that he had not heard any verbal abuse against Rory McIlroy.

Fans BLAST Don Rea as PGA of America President Claims of Not Hearing Any Verbal Abuse Against Rory McIlroy at 2025 Ryder Cup: “He Needs Sacking Quickly”

Rory McIlroy and Don Rea (Image via Imago/PGA)

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The PGA of America President, Don Rea, found himself in hot water on Tuesday. Social media users would blast him after he indirectly defended the fan behavior at the 2025 Ryder Cup and claimed that he had not heard any verbal abuse against Rory McIlroy.

The 5-time major champion was subjected to severe heckling during the 3-day event at the Bethpage Black Course in New York. The American crowd would get a bit loud and make some insensitive comments regarding him.

Things got worse on Saturday. Earlier in the day, a Ryder Cup emcee, Heather McMahan, found herself in the spotlight. The comedian would lead the crowd to an NSFW chant of “F*** You, Rory.” After severe criticism on social media, the PGA of America announced that she had stepped down from her post and would not return on Sunday.

In the afternoon session, a fan would hurl a beer cup at McIlroy’s wife, Erica Stoll, while the couple made their way through the greens. In another video, the golfer was seen demanding that the security throw out a fan, who dropped a slur against him while he was recording him.

All of these actions from the crowd in New York led to 8-time major champion Tom Watson issuing a statement on X. The former Ryder Cup captain claimed that he was ashamed by the rude behavior of the spectators during the weekend and apologized on their behalf.

As the golf world took a stance against this behavior of the American fans on social media, Don Rea made some bold comments. The PGA of America President seemingly defended the actions of the fans and claimed that he had not heard any of that. He further expressed that these things happen even when the Americans are playing in Europe.

I haven’t heard some of that. I’m sure it’s happened, it happens when we’re over in Rome on the other side and Rory understands. I thought he handled the press conference yesterday amazingly. But yeah, things are like that are going to happen. I don’t know what was said, but all I know golf is the engine of good.

Don Rea said while speaking with BBC

After Team Europe successfully retained the Ryder Cup with a 15-13 score, McIlroy hit back at the fans in the press conference. The World No.2 expressed that the things that happened during the course of the tournament were not acceptable.

Social media slams Don Rea for indirectly defending abuse against Rory McIlroy

Golf fans on social media were not pleased to see the abuse directed at Rory McIlroy. While some did attack the golfer for flipping the crowd, the majority of them stood by his side and were disgusted by the comments against him.

Rory McIlroy
Rory McIlroy (Image via Imago)

On Tuesday, social media users once again came to the defense following Don Rea’s statement. The comments of the PGA of America President did not sit well with them. One user wrote, “He needs sacking quickly” urging for the firing of Rea.

Check out that and some other reactions from X below:

Speaking of McIlroy, he participated in 5 matches during the event this year and went 3-1-1, and played an important part in his team’s win. His 3.5 points from the 45th edition of the tournament moved him up to 7th in the European all-time points list at 21.5 points.

Former American Ryder Cup captain slams Rory McIlroy for his behavior at Ryder Cup

While Rory McIlroy got abused heavily by the American fans at the Ryder Cup, he did bite back at some occasions. A former American Ryder Cup captain would slam the golfer for his actions and behavior after the event.

Rory McIlroy
Rory McIlroy (Image via Imago)

On Friday, the Northern Irish star would make some gestures with his fingers and flip off the crowd. In another instance, he could be heard yelling “shut the f*** up” while snapping at a fan.

Paul Azinger did not like the way McIlroy reacted. The 2008 Ryder Cup-winning captain claimed that McIlroy cannot expect the fans to behave while he drops f-bombs on the course.

In the press conference, after it’s over, he is saying that I think golf should be held to a higher standard of decorum. But in the meantime, he says f*** you, f*** you, f**k you in full voice for the world to see… I love Rory, but you can’t say that. You can’t say the fans need to behave better and then in the meantime lay them to waste. You can’t do both. You’ve got to be one or the other.

Paul Azinger said on Subpar podcast

The 65-year-old however, did acknowledge that what he went through must have been terrible. He also expressed that things could have been worse had the price of the beers been a bit lower.

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