Heather McMahan, the host of the Ryder Cup, has issued an apology to golfer Rory McIlroy and resigned from her position following a profane chant against him. McIlroy faced continuous verbal abuse from the crowd at Bethpage Black Golf Course while playing alongside Shane Lowry in the opening four-ball match on Saturday. Event organizers intervened to address the hostile treatment McIlroy received, displaying messages on screens to remind spectators of appropriate behavior and removing disruptive fans with police assistance.
Despite efforts to mitigate the tense atmosphere, comedian McMahan exacerbated the situation by inciting inappropriate conduct before the morning foursomes began. She was observed using a megaphone at the first tee to lead a chant of “F*** you Rory!” which drew participation from the audience in the grandstands. Outraged golf fans took to social media to criticize McMahan for her unprofessional behavior, with one user expressing disappointment in the state of golf in America.
According to reports from the Sports Business Journal, McMahan personally apologized to McIlroy for her actions and subsequently resigned as the emcee at the first tee. Initially met with derogatory chants, McIlroy responded playfully by blowing kisses to the crowd, but the situation escalated as hecklers continued to disrupt his play throughout the day. At one point during a match against Justin Thomas and Cameron Young, McIlroy had to halt his swing preparation and verbally confront a fan who made inappropriate remarks.
In a post-match interview, McIlroy acknowledged the challenges of playing in an away Ryder Cup and expressed understanding of fan banter between shots. However, he stressed the importance of respecting players’ focus during crucial moments. When questioned about the behavior of rival fans, McIlroy refrained from passing judgment, emphasizing the team’s resilience in the face of adversity.
In a separate development, Sky has announced a discounted Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle offer for the Ryder Cup, providing extended live coverage of all three days of the 2025 tournament.