PGA of America chief executive Derek Sprague says he will apologise directly to Rory McIlroy and the rest of Europe's Ryder Cup team and their families for the abusive behaviour they suffered from some spectators during last week's contest.
The apology follows Europe's 15-13 victory over the United States at Bethpage Black, where their players were subjected to taunts and personal abuse by fans, who also refused to stay quiet while players were taking their shots.
A Ryder Cup crowd announcer was stood down after leading an expletive-filled chant about McIlroy, while his wife Erica also had a beer thrown in her direction by fans.
USA captain Keegan Bradley refused to condemn the "passionate" home fans at Bethpage and said he had heard "a lot of stories that Rome was pretty violent as well" when Europe won on home soil two years ago.
PGA of America president Don Rea suggested that it "happened when we were in Rome" when asked for his opinion on the unruly scenes.
Sprague however took a different stance when addressing the issue.
"It's unfortunate that people crossed the line last week," he told the Golf Channel.
"That's one thing our game has always portrayed when you compare us to other sports is that golf is a great game and people enjoy the game because of the values that golf has.
"I haven't spoken to Rory or Erica but I do plan on sending them an email with my heartfelt apologies because of what occurred."
Sprague added that while McIlroy might have been a target because of his prominence, abuse was directed at other players and their families as well.
"Rory might have been a target because of how good he is, but the entire European team should not have been subjected to that. I feel badly and I plan on apologising to them," he said.
The hostile atmosphere drew condemnation from across the golf world. American great Tom Watson posted on his X account that he was "ashamed" by the behaviour of American fans and apologised to the European side.
