Tom Watson says he’s “ashamed” of what American crowds did to European players at Bethpage.

The 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black started tame enough. Early in the week, everyone thought the New York crowds were actually behaving themselves. But by Saturday, something shifted. Maybe it was watching Team USA struggle. Maybe it was Long Island wanting to live up to its reputation. Either way, a chunk of fans completely lost the script.

Personal Attacks Cross Every Line

This wasn’t just heckling. Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry bore the brunt of it—so much so that both responded with middle fingers and f-bombs of their own. But here’s where it gets ugly: Shane Lowry later revealed that McIlroy’s wife endured “astonishing” abuse during the matches. When families become targets, you’ve crossed from passionate to pathetic.

Players Had to Play Peacemaker

Justin Thomas, Cameron Young, and Scottie Scheffler—American heroes on the course—spent Saturday trying to quiet their own fans. Then they apologized to their opponents afterward. Captain Keegan Bradley admitted some fans went too far. That’s embarrassing when your own team has to defend the other side from your supporters.

Watson’s Rare Public Shame

Tom Watson doesn’t mince words. The two-time U.S. captain—who knows a thing or two about Ryder Cup heartbreak after 2014—posted on social media Tuesday to congratulate Europe. Then he pivoted hard: “I am ashamed of what happened.” Coming from an icon like Watson, that’s not just an apology. That’s a cultural indictment.

The Bigger Picture

Most American fans were fine. Most players showed class all week, even in defeat. European stars Rory and Tommy Fleetwood acknowledged as much. But the loud, nasty minority stained this Ryder Cup forever. Bethpage will be remembered for fan behavior, not golf. And that’s a loss nobody wanted.