Mcilroy Receives 'lovely' Apology From Pga Boss After Ryder Cup Abuse

Rory McIlroy says he received a "lovely" connection from nan leader of nan PGA of America pursuing nan maltreatment he and his woman Erica suffered astatine nan hands of immoderate American fans astatine nan Ryder Cup.

The Masters champion added he took it arsenic "a compliment" that he was nan target of rowdy US supporters and it "galvanised" nan European squad during their 15-13 triumph astatine Bethpage.

In nan aftermath of nan tumultuous title past September, PGA of America CEO Derek Sprague promised to interaction McIlroy and his wife. The Masters champion has confirmed he received nan message.

"I sewage a beautiful email from Derek Sprague apologising," McIlroy told BBC Sport earlier competing astatine nan Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.

"Erica worked pinch Derek astatine nan PGA of America backmost successful nan time truthful we cognize Derek and his woman beautiful well. He couldn't person been much gracious aliases apologetic and he wrote america a beautiful letter, which we really appreciated."

Erica McIlroy was struck by a tossed brew tin during nan Saturday action successful New York and her hubby was nan taxable of sustained maltreatment passim nan 3 days of nan competition.

"I return it arsenic a compliment that they targeted me," McIlroy said. "But past astatine nan aforesaid time, it was a reliable week. That made america amended arsenic a team.

"It galvanised america and it really put our arms astir each other."

The 36-year-old Northern Irishman collaborated erstwhile Open champion Shane Lowry connected some nan Friday and Saturday afternoons erstwhile nan crowds were astatine their astir hostile.

Lowry went connected to spread nan putt that ensured Europe could not beryllium beaten contempt America's stirring fightback successful nan last time singles.

"Honestly, I was conscionable truthful happy to person Shane beside maine connected Friday day and Saturday afternoon. He was for illustration nan large relative I ne'er had retired location those 2 afternoons," added McIlroy.

"He played unthinkable play to support america successful it. And we won 1 and a half points retired of our 2 matches. Him holing that putt was conscionable a cleanable measurement to extremity nan week."

McIlroy has stated he does not want nan crowd scenes to overshadow Europe's superb performance, peculiarly successful nan foursomes and fourball sessions.

He tin look backmost connected what he calls "the play of his golfing life", which brought a long-awaited profession expansive slam pinch his Masters triumph arsenic good arsenic victories astatine nan Players Championship, Pebble Beach and nan Irish Open.

McIlroy is now targeting occurrence present successful Abu Dhabi arsenic good arsenic nan play finale astatine adjacent week's DP World Tour Championship successful Dubai.

He is successful rod position for a seventh Race to Dubai title but holds only a constrictive lead successful nan standings complete England's Marco Penge.

"I retrieve trying to triumph my first title to Dubai successful 2009 and going up against Lee Westwood for those past mates of events," McIlroy said.

"I was motivated and quiet and really wanted to do it and I'm judge that's precisely really Marco feels. So it's going to beryllium an breathtaking mates of weeks."

On his return to nan Middle East, McIlroy is successful a reflective temper aft truthful overmuch occurrence successful a twelvemonth that began successful nan United Arab Emirates astatine nan Hero Dubai Desert Classic.

"I deliberation backmost to nan commencement successful January of 2025 erstwhile I was past present and everything that's happened since," he said.

"Honestly, successful my wildest dreams, I didn't know. I mean, I knew a twelvemonth for illustration this was imaginable but it's conscionable been an astonishing 10 months."