PGA of America in Crosshairs After Ryder Cup Issues On, Off Course

The PGA of America is in the spotlight for the wrong reasons after a disappointing performance for the U.S. Ryder Cup team on the course, and an equally subpar showing from fans at Bethpage Black Golf Course.

As the operator of the U.S. team, and the tournament when it’s played Stateside, the PGA of America bears responsibility for the competitive workings and logistical issues of this Ryder Cup. 

At least one spectator was arrested, and many were ejected throughout the weekend, as the crowds of 50,000-plus per day turned ugly against the dominating European team. While some fans being kicked out of tournaments isn’t unusual, arrests are not common at golf events, and none were.

On Saturday, security had to be beefed up around Rory McIlroy, who was the main target of heckling from U.S. fans, and one fan threw a drink at McIlroy’s wife, Erica. “The police out there and the amount of security presence was insane,” McIlroy said Sunday night.

Unruly crowd behavior from New York fans had been a concern ever since the PGA of America announced in 2013 it would take this Ryder Cup to Bethpage, and even more so after rowdy scenes at the 2019 PGA Championship at the venue. But despite the lengthy lead-up, it’s clear not enough precautions were taken.

On Saturday night, U.S. captain Keegan Bradley said, “You’re always going to have a few people that cross the line, and that’s unfortunate. I was happy to see our players trying to quiet down some people that were like that. Part of it our fault. We are not playing up to the standards that they want to see, and they are angry, and they should be.” That led to a testy exchange with a British reporter, who asked about players’ performance being to blame for fans crossing the lines. Bradley said, “That’s not what I said. I said the fans are probably upset that their home team is losing.”

Around the World

The next five Ryder Cup locations that have been announced will be in tamer markets than New York, particularly those held in the U.S.:

• 2027: Adare Manor in Ireland
• 2029: Hazeltine National in Minnesota
• 2031: Camiral in Spain
• 2033: The Olympic Club in San Francisco
• 2035: TBD in Europe
• 2037: Congressional Country Club just outside Washington, D.C.

Ryder Cup Europe (a joint venture among the European Tour, the PGA of Great Britain and Ireland, and the PGAs of Europe) operates the tournament when it is played across the pond.

From the Top

For the PGA of America, beyond the off-course issues at Bethpage, the organization must now decide on a captain for the 2027 event; the U.S. has not won on European soil since 1993.

Bradley was appointed captain in July 2024, just after former PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh stepped down when his contract expired the month before. The PGA of America is now led by CEO Derek Sprague and president Don Rea Jr., both of whom officially began their new roles in January.

Tiger Woods was the PGA of America’s first choice to captain the 2025 team, but he turned it down due to time commitment issues as he worked (and is still working) to help broker a deal between the PGA Tour and Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, which is the financial backer of LIV Golf. 

One name that can be taken off the future captain’s list is Phil Mickelson. “No rumors. My Ryder Cup involvement is over,” he wrote on X on Sunday. “I’m happy being a spectator and rooting for Team USA.”

Luke Donald has captained the last two European Ryder Cup teams, and he could be in the running for a third captaincy in 2027.