Stefan Schauffele, the father and long-time coach of Team USA star Xander Schauffele, has revealed he is boycotting the Ryder Cup this weekend, claiming the tournament has become “unwatchable” following what he sees as increasingly toxic behaviour — including Rory McIlroy’s fiery confrontation with Patrick Cantlay’s caddie in Rome two years ago.
The Ryder Cup returned to American soil on Friday as Bethpage Black in New York welcomed tens of thousands of fans for one of golf’s most intense spectacles.
Schauffele, a two-time major winner and key member of Keegan Bradley’s side, opened the event paired with close friend Patrick Cantlay in the Friday morning foursomes against Europe’s Robert MacIntyre and Viktor Hovland.
But while the Californian will have the backing of the partisan New York crowd, his father — who has been a constant presence throughout his son’s career — has opted to stay away.
Speaking to The Times earlier this year, Stefan explained that the increasingly hostile atmosphere had drained his enthusiasm for attending the Ryder Cup.
“I’m afraid of what’s going to happen in New York,” the 60-year-old said.
“I was there [at Whistling Straits] when they called Shane Lowry’s wife a w**** in front of him. I couldn’t believe my ears.
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Stefan Schauffele, the father and long-time coach of Team USA star Xander Schauffele, has revealed he is boycotting the Ryder Cup this weekend, claiming the tournament has become “unwatchable” following what he sees as increasingly toxic behaviour — including Rory McIlroy’s fiery confrontation with Patrick Cantlay’s caddie in Rome two years ago
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“Then I saw what happened in Rome. That was utterly disgusting — claiming this money bull***t and Rory [McIlroy] behaved disgustingly in my opinion.
“It’s only going to get worse. It’s ruined my appetite for the Ryder Cup. It becomes unwatchable.”
McIlroy’s clash with Cantlay’s caddie Joe LaCava became one of the defining images of the 2023 Ryder Cup.
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Rory McIlroy clashed with Patrick Cantlay's caddie Joe LaCava at the 2023 Ryder Cup
| PAAfter Cantlay holed a clutch putt on the 18th to keep American hopes alive, LaCava celebrated by waving his hat in front of the gallery, prompting an angry response from McIlroy who felt the display was disrespectful and disrupted his focus.
The confrontation continued in the car park after the match, with McIlroy later admitting he had been “fired up” but insisting the incident galvanised Europe en route to a 16.5–11.5 victory.
For Stefan Schauffele, however, the scenes in Rome — combined with past examples of fan hostility — were enough to stay away this year.
The German-born coach has worked with his son throughout his rise from amateur star to Olympic gold medallist and major champion but believes the Ryder Cup has crossed a line.
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Rory McIlroy pictured at this year's Ryder Cup
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“Some people are idiots, especially when they drink,” he said.
“Nobody turns into a genius drinking, and that’s what they were doing last time. Especially if you were out in the afternoon matches, it was loud.”
Despite his father’s absence, Schauffele will be a crucial part of Bradley’s plans this weekend as the Americans chase a third consecutive Ryder Cup victory on home soil. He and Cantlay have formed one of the USA’s most dependable pairings, holding a 2-2 record across their four matches together at Whistling Straits and Marco Simone.
With Bethpage known for having one of the most boisterous atmospheres in Ryder Cup history, all eyes will be on whether the cauldron helps spur the hosts on — or fuels further flashpoints between the two sides.