Heather McMahan, the host of the Ryder Cup, issued an apology to Rory McIlroy and resigned from her position after leading a vulgar chant aimed at the Northern Irish golfer. During Saturday’s opening four-ball match at Bethpage Black Golf Course, McIlroy faced continuous verbal abuse from the rowdy crowd while playing alongside Shane Lowry.

To address the hostile treatment McIlroy received, event organizers intervened by displaying messages on the large screens to remind spectators of appropriate behavior, while authorities took action to remove disruptive fans.

Despite efforts to maintain order, comedian McMahan exacerbated the unruly atmosphere before the morning foursomes by encouraging inappropriate conduct. She was spotted at the first tee using a megaphone to lead a chant of “F*** you Rory!” as onlookers in the stands joined in.

Outraged golf enthusiasts took to social media to criticize McMahan for her unprofessional behavior. One user expressed dismay over a PGA-affiliated individual inciting such behavior, highlighting the incident as a reflection of the current state of golf in America.

Following public backlash, McMahan reportedly apologized to McIlroy and stepped down from her role as the first tee emcee. Despite initially responding playfully to the chants with gestures, McIlroy faced escalating personal attacks throughout the day, prompting him to confront a fan shouting profanities during his game.

In a statement to the press, McIlroy acknowledged the expected banter from fans but emphasized the importance of respect when players are preparing to hit their shots. Despite the challenging atmosphere, he commended his team for overcoming the adversity and securing a victory.

As the event unfolded, Sky announced a discount on its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the Ryder Cup, offering extensive live coverage of all three days of the 2025 competition.