PGA of America president Don Rea has come in for criticism for comments made during the Ryder Cup and has chosen to respond with a statement ending with the bizarre line: ‘New level. New devil.’
Rea was asked about the behaviour of American fans at Bethpage during the event, which saw Europe win the Ryder Cup in dramatic fashion on Sunday.
Some supporters undoubtedly crossed a line with their heckling of the European players, with some shocking incidents including Rory McIlroy’s wife being hit by a beer thrown in her direction.
McIlroy received a huge amount of abuse and both fired back at the hecklers and asked for a fan to be removed at one stage for some especially unpleasant taunting.
Rea was asked about the behaviour of fans in New York and was largely dismissive, telling the BBC: ‘Well you have 50,000 people there that are really excited, heck you can go to a youth soccer game and get some people who say the wrong things.
‘We tell the fans that booing at somebody doesn’t make them play worse, typically it makes them play better. When our American players have to control the crowds, that distracts them from playing
‘Our message to everybody who’s out here, is cheer on the Americans like never before, get them out of crowd control and let them perform.’
Asked specifically about the abuse McIlroy was dealing with, he was again dismissive and said Americans dealt with similar at the previous Ryder Cup in Rome.
‘I haven’t heard some of that, I’m sure it’s happened,’ he said. ‘It happened when we were in Rome on the other side and Rory understands, I thought he handled the press conference amazingly.
‘Things like that are going to happen and I don’t know what was said. But all I know is golf the engine of good.’
Now two-time Ryder Cup winner Matt Fitzpatrick has responded to those claims, saying the experience in Rome could not be compared to that of last week and felt it was an offensive thing to suggest.
‘What the PGA of America guy said about it being the same in Rome – he clearly wasn’t there,’ said the former US Open champion.
‘Either he wasn’t there or he was listening to something else, because it was never like that. It’s always been playful, just banter.
‘The interview with the PGA guy saying it was the same in Rome. That’s pretty offensive to European fans.’
He added: ‘I wouldn’t say we were looking for an apology but I would say it’s understandable that they would apologise.
‘I have had a number of friends who are American send messages, texts, all sorts, apologising for the fans and saying really sorry that you had to deal with that stuff, but we knew what we were going to deal with going in.’
Fitzpatrick has not been alone in criticising Rea and the American has heard the complaints aimed at him.
He chose to respond on LinkedIn, once again dismissing any issue and referencing a lengthy sermon he performed at Bethel Chandler church in 2022.
‘Couple thoughts. This is my profile not the PGA’s,’ Rea wrote. ‘That being said, thank you to all that have reached out to me as a friend and golf industry leader.
‘I’m personally taking some criticism right now and that comes with the role and just like when I was an umpire I expect it.
‘However, to the students and PGA members that follow me, know this, I am not bothered. I know who I ultimately serve.
‘When I wrote this sermon 3 years ago I meant it and today I am living it. The truth is still the truth. New level. New devil.’