"Let me begin with what we must own. While the competition was spirited especially with the US team's rally on Sunday afternoon some fan behavior clearly crossed the line, Don Rea Jr wrote in an email to PGA of America members. It was disrespectful, inappropriate, and not representative of who we are as the PGA of America or as PGA of America golf professionals. We condemn that behavior unequivocally."
"During last week's tournament, Europe's players were subjected to vitriolic abuse. An MC at the event resigned after she led chants of Fuck you, Rory aimed at Rory McIlroy, the crowd hurled homophobic slurs at golfers and players' wives were insulted. McIlroy said his wife, Erica, was hit by a beer that was thrown during Saturday afternoon's play. Europe won the Ryder Cup on Sunday after completing a 15-13 victory."
"You've got 50,000 people here that are really excited, and heck, you could go to a youth soccer game and get some people who say the wrong things, he said. He went on to say the behavior was distracting American players because they had to spend energy helping to control the crowd. Rea also said during his BBC interview when asked about the abuse hurled toward McIlroy, I haven't heard some of that."
Don Rea Jr issued an apology acknowledging that some fan behavior at the Ryder Cup crossed the line and was disrespectful and inappropriate. European players endured vitriolic abuse, including chants targeting Rory McIlroy, homophobic slurs, insults directed at players' wives, and a beer striking McIlroy's wife. An event MC resigned after leading abusive chants. Rea initially minimized the behavior, comparing it to incidents at youth soccer games and referencing crowd behavior in Rome, and suggested distraction to American players. European players and teammates described the comments and abuse as offensive and astonishing following Europe's 15-13 victory.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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