Ryder Cup host Heather McMahan has publicly responded to the intense criticism she’s faced following her involvement in leading crude chants targeting Rory McIlroy at the prestigious tournament. During Saturday’s opening four-ball match, where McIlroy partnered with Shane Lowry, the Northern Irish golfer endured relentless heckling from rowdy spectators at Bethpage Black Golf Course.
Prior to the morning foursomes commencing, McMahan encouraged the boisterous crowd whilst orchestrating various chants. At the 1st tee, she was witnessed bellowing “F*** you Rory!” through a megaphone as the grandstand audience joined in. The following day, the PGA Tour confirmed that McMahan had apologised to McIlroy for her conduct and stepped down from her Ryder Cup role.
“Heather McMahan has extended an apology to Rory Mcllroy and Ryder Cup Europe and has stepped down from hosting the first tee of the Ryder Cup,” read an official statement.
Taking to social media platforms, the actress and comedian posted: “Guys, I’m having a glass of wine… It’s been a f****** day.”
On Monday, McMahan voiced remorse for her part in the chanting but maintained that the backlash against her has been “Salem-witch-esque”. McMahan responded to a TikTok video where user @pamelawurstvetrini vigorously defended her position.
“It’s was a really tough scene. I did not start the chant but I deeply regret responding back to the crowd – I apologised but I agree it little Salem-witch-esque blaming me for the New York sports scene.”
Looking forward to future Ryder Cups, McIlroy made it clear that the behaviour of fans at Bethpage should never be accepted at the biennial event. “Look, I don’t think we should ever accept that in golf,” he said after Team Europe’s 15-13 victory.
“I think golf should be held to a higher standard than what was seen out there this week. Golf has the ability to unite people. Golf teaches you very good life lessons. It teaches you etiquette. It teaches you how to play by the rules. It teaches you how to respect people.
“Sometimes this week we didn’t see that. So no, this should not be what is acceptable in the Ryder Cup. But you know, we will be making sure to say to our fans in Ireland in 2027 that what happened here this week is not acceptable.
“Come and support your home team. I think if I was an American, I would be annoyed that… I didn’t hear a lot of shouts for Scottie today, but I heard a lot of shouts against me. It’s like, support your players. That’s the thing.
“Look, it was a rough week for all of us. But at the same time, we shut them up by our performance and how we played.
“I chirped back a few times because it got to me a few times, but we tried to handle everything that came our way with class and poise, and for the most part, I felt like we did that.”
