PGA of America CEO Derek Sprague reached out to Rory McIlroy and his wife, Erica Stoll, following a weekend marred by verbal abuse during the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, New York. The incident sparked significant backlash, prompting Sprague to take immediate action.
In a direct communication with the couple, Sprague expressed his dismay over the treatment they received. “I sent a long email to share with Rory and Erica and just told him that we will do better in the future,” he stated in an interview on October 2. “I’m the CEO now. I don’t condone this type of behavior. This is not good for the game of golf.”
Sprague's outreach included a conversation with McIlroy’s manager, Sean O’Flaherty, where he reiterated his commitment to preventing similar incidents. “I was just really, really, really disappointed,” he remarked, highlighting his dissatisfaction with both fan behavior and the role of the event's emcee.
The controversy ignited on September 27 when emcee Heather McMahan incited the crowd to chant derogatory remarks directed at McIlroy. By the end of the day, she had issued an apology and resigned from her position. Throughout the matches, McIlroy faced relentless heckling, while Stoll was struck by a drink thrown from the crowd.
Sprague acknowledged that the organization failed to adequately protect players and their families during the event. “It’s hard to define what crosses the line, right?” he said, reflecting on the challenges of managing crowd behavior. Reports of incidents were addressed as they arose, with security measures implemented to remove disruptive individuals.
Contrasting Sprague’s approach, PGA of America president Don Rea downplayed the situation, suggesting that such occurrences are commonplace in competitive environments. His comments did not sit well with Team Europe, who ultimately triumphed over Team USA 15-13. “What the PGA of America guy said about it being the same in Rome — he clearly wasn’t there,” Team Europe’s Matt Fitzpatrick remarked, emphasizing that the atmosphere in Rome was never comparable.
McIlroy himself weighed in on the matter, asserting that hostility should not be normalized in golf. “Look, I don’t think we should ever accept that in golf,” he stated after the Europeans’ victory. “Golf should be held to a higher standard than what was seen out there this week.”
In response to the uproar, Sprague committed to a thorough review between the PGA of America and the DP World Tour ahead of the 2027 Ryder Cup in Ireland. “We will make sure that we focus on what the Ryder Cup is all about,” he affirmed. “It’s about decorum and sportsmanship and integrity.”
As discussions continue regarding how to uphold these values, Sprague's leadership will be pivotal in shaping future events and ensuring that respect prevails in the sport.
