THE President of the PGA of America has been slammed after a “car crash” interview after he appeared to downplay the vile abuse directed towards Rory McIlroy.
Rory McIlroy and his family were subjected to vile chants as Team Europe survived a late comeback against Team America to win the Ryder Cup.
Don Rea, the president of the PGA of America had a ‘car crash’ interview[/caption]
He seemed to downplay the vile abuse directed at Rory McIlroy in the Ryder Cup[/caption]
The Northern Irishman was called homophobic slurs and was targeted with projectiles by some unruly fans on Saturday.
But in a stunning interview with the BBC, Don Rea seemed to downplay the severity of the chants.
He then later suggested Bethpage Black’s European visitors had not been treated any worse than when Team USA visited Marco Simone in 2023.
Speaking before Sunday’s singles session, he said: “I haven’t heard some of that. I’m sure it’s happened.
“It happened when we were over in Rome on the other side and Rory understands.
“I thought he handled the press conference yesterday amazingly but things like that are going to happen.
“I don’t know what was said but I do know golf is the engine of good.”
Rea went on to claim Team USA had been hit just as much by the fan chanting following major struggles in the opening two days of the Ryder Cup.
He said: “When our American players have to control the crowds, that distracts them from playing.
“So our message today, to everybody out here, is: cheer on the Americans like never before because that will always get them to play better.
“Get them out of crowd control and let them perform.
“We tell the fans: booing somebody doesn’t make them play worse. Typically it makes them play better.”
Reacting online, one fan said: “Jesus wept.
“What chance do you have when this is how the people in charge respond?
“Don Rea, the PGA of America president, resorting to ignorance and whataboutery in response to fans aiming homophobic slurs and worse at Rory McIlroy and his Ryder Cup team-mates.”
A second said: “How unaware can they be. Just pathetic.”
A third added: “He should be resigning over the whole episode. An absolute plum.”
Another said: “That’s diabolical.”
American actress and comedian, Heather McMahan stepped down from her role as MC of the first tee after appearing to encourage “f*** you Rory” chants by the crowd.
