Rory McIlroy Reveals Receiving Apology Mail from PGA CEO Following 2025 Ryder Cup Abuse

Rory McIlroy went 3-1-1 in his 5 matches during the 2025 Ryder Cup and earned 3.5 points to help Team Europe go back-to-back.

Rory McIlroy Reveals Receiving Apology Mail from PGA CEO Following 2025 Ryder Cup Abuse

Rory McIlroy (Image via Imago)

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This week, Rory McIlroy will be in action at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. Ahead of this tournament, the 5-time major champion revealed receiving an apology email from the PGA CEO regarding the abuse he received during the 2025 Ryder Cup.

The reigning Masters Champion was one of the top names on the European squad. Even before the event, it was expected that the fans at the Bethpage Black Course in New York will be a bit rowdy towards the visitors.

During one of the practice rounds before the showdown, McIlroy got trolled by the fans after he bladed his shot. On Day 1, there were some heavy words exchanged between him and some spectators. The Northern Irish golfer would flip off some of them.

In the morning sessions on Day 2, fans continued to heckle the former World No.1. He would drop some huge f-bombs at them as they kept trying to distract him.

The fan behavior hit a massive low when his wife, Erica Stoll, got hit. As she and McIlroy were making their way across the course on the greens, a fan from the stands would grab a beer and hurl it at her.

On his way out, a fan would record him and throw a slur at him. The golfer was not pleased with this and pointed out the fan and demanded that the security remove him from the stands.

McIlroy was also subjected to abuse after a Ryder Cup Master of Ceremonies led an NSFW chant towards him. The emcee would later step down from her post. The PGA of America would issue a statement regarding this and apologize to the European golfer.

Fans continued to chant against McIlroy on Sunday. Following his showdown against World No.1 Scottie Scheffler, he hit out at the fans and expressed that they should have used their energy to support their team instead of trying to get under their skin.

On Wednesday, McIlroy revealed that he received a “lovely” apology from PGA CEO Derek Sprague and claimed that they appreciated this gesture from him.

I got a lovely email from Derek Sprague apologizing… Erica worked with Derek at the PGA of America back in the day, so we know Derek and his wife pretty well. He couldn’t have been more gracious or apologetic and he wrote us a lovely letter, which we really appreciated.

Rory McIlroy told BBC Sport

The 36-year-old went 3-1-1 in his 5 matches this year and earned 3.5 points for his team. Despite a strong fightback from Team USA on Day 3, Team Europe held on and emerged as 15-13 winners.

Rory McIlroy comments on LIV Golf’s changing their format to 72-holes

On Tuesday, LIV Golf made a major announcement and revealed that they will be adapting to the 72-hole format from the 2026 season. Rory McIlroy, who was once a huge critic of them, commented on this matter.

Rory McIlroy
Rory McIlroy (Image via Imago)

LIV Golf had received several flak for its format. Their literal name came from the 54-hole format, which they play (LIV stands for 54 in Roman Numerals).

After 4 seasons, the league is making a big change. Like other tours, they will also now play 4 rounds of golf and compete in a 72-hole format.

Ahead of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, McIlroy called this a “peculiar” move from the Public Investment Fund (PIF) backed league.

I think it’s a peculiar move because I think they could have got ranking points with three rounds. I don’t think three rounds versus four rounds is what was holding them back… It certainly puts them more in line with traditional golf tournaments than what we’ve all done. It brings them back into not really being a destructor and sort is of falling more in line with what everyone else does.

Rory McIlroy said in the press conference

Earlier this year, LIV Golf reapplied for the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR) points. The Saudi-backed tour does not receive these points, which are used to rank players. As they do not receive them, the rankings of LIV Golfers take a massive hit. This makes it difficult for them to qualify for the major championships.

Their previous application for these points was declined in 2023. The then OWGR CEO, Craig Dawson, expressed that the format of the league makes it hard to be “ranked equitably.”

The 72-hole format could make their case for the OWGR a bit stronger compared to before. The 2026 season will kick off on February 4 in Saudi Arabia at the LIV Golf Riyadh event.

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