The president of the PGA, Don Rea, has doubled down on his controversial comments after the Ryder Cup, where he claimed the abuse “is going to happen” and likened the hostile atmosphere to Rome in 2023.
Rea, who has been in his position for one year, released a bizarre statement on LinkedIn after receiving heavy backlash in which he appeared to defend USA fans who had hurled vile abuse at Team Europe across the weekend.
Rory McIlroy was often the brunt of the joke, suffering from personal insults and homophobic slurs. His wife, Erica, was hit by a drink that was thrown, while team-mate Tyrell Hatton admitted he “struggled” with the abuse.
After the controversial weekend, Rea gave a strange interview to the BBC in response to the abuse by the home fans: “Things like that are going to happen.
“You have 50,000 people there that are really excited and – heck – you can go to a youth soccer game and get some people who say the wrong things. I haven't heard some of that - I'm sure it's happened.
“It happened when we were in Rome on the other side, and Rory understands… 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.
The president of the PGA, Don Rea, has doubled down on his controversial comments after the Ryder Cup, where he claimed the abuse “is going to happen” and likened the hostile atmosphere to Rome in 2023
|X
“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.
Don Rea has been president of PGA for one year
|REUTERS
“We tell the fans: booing somebody doesn't make them play worse. Typically it makes them play better.”
Matthew Fitzpatrick was the latest European star to condemn the comments, and even noted that Rea presented the trophy to the champions, describing them as “retaining” rather than “winning” the Ryder Cup - a sign of “bitterness”, according to the 31-year-old.
JUST IN: PGA chief to apologise to Rory McIlroy after vulgar Ryder Cup abuse: 'We are not happy!'
Matthew Fitzpatrick slammed the 'offensive' comments from Don Rea
|X
“Me and Rosie [Justin Rose] looked at each other thinking the congratulations didn't feel very heartfelt. He said we only retained it, but actually - we won it.
“I saw the interview with the PGA guy [Rea] discussing about it was the same in Rome. It’s pretty offensive to European fans the fact that he said that, really.”
**SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE DAILY GB NEWS SPORTS NEWSLETTER HERE**
And in response to the criticism, rather than issuing apology for his comments, Rea has remarkably doubled down in an unusual post on his LinkedIn page.
He wrote: “Couple thoughts. This is my profile not the PGA’s. That being said, thank you to all that have reached out to me as a friend and golf industry leader.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
PGA chief executive Derek Sprague condemned the abuse
|YOUTUBE
“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.”
Referring to a speech he previously gave, Rea’s “new level, new devil” is in relation to the idea that as you advance spiritually, challenges also grow.
PGA chief executive, Derek Sprague, had an entirely different narrative of events from the weekend, revealing his plans to personally apologise to McIroy and his wife Erica.
Speaking to The Athletic, after his first Ryder Cup as PGA chief, Sprague said: “I sent a long email to share with Rory and Erica and just told him that we will do better in the future.
“I’m the CEO now. I don’t condone this type of behaviour. This is not good for the game of golf. It’s not good for the Ryder Cup. It’s not good for any of the professional athletes, and we will do better.”