JP McManus on Lowry and McIlroy, fan abuse and the 2027 Ryder Cup

JP McManus is adamant that when the Ryder Cup comes to Adare Manor in 2027, the away players and fans won’t face the kind of stick that some of the home crowd at Bethpage Black have dished out.

JP McManus has been inside the ropes all week at the Ryder Cup alongside Limerick manager John Kiely. Pic: Vaughn Ridley/Sportsfile

Crouched down on one knee in line with the tee blocks of the 14th hole, JP McManus had watched from the closest confines as Rory McIlroy fired a stunning iron which would prove to be one of the decisive blows of an unforgettable Irish victory in New York on Saturday night.

McManus was inside the ropes all the way and so was all too aware of the ugliness and adversity which McIlroy and Shane Lowry had faced as their foursomes match with Justin Thomas and Cam Young was disrupted with barrages of shameful abuse from Americans in the crowd at Bethpage.

In keeping with so much of this 45th Ryder Cup week, the European duo stood tallest, digging deep to win the match 2-up, putting another point on the board and inching Luke Donald’s side ever closer to a historic triumph on American soil.

On a quieter corner of the Black course on Sunday morning, McManus hailed the two men he has come to know well. A man whose life is enmeshed with sport at its most elite level knew he had seen one of the great Irish athletic endeavours.

“You know it was a great win,” said the owner of Adare Manor after a ceremony to begin the handover to the 2027 host venue. “They’re great ambassadors for the game. We’re all very, very proud of them at home. They were…very good. They behaved great. They handled it very, very well.” 

McManus felt sympathy for his countrymen but also for Thomas and Young, arguing that the relentless abuse dished out by the most belligerent shouldn’t lead to a blanket condemnation of the New York crowds.

“They are difficult times but they were difficult for our lads and they were difficult for the Americans as well because the American players out there, they weren’t happy with that either,” McManus said. “It’s hard to lay fault with America because of the behaviour of just a few.

“Do you know it’s very hard to lay the blame on the Americans. You get a very few, small minority of them that are causing problems. It’s not fair to tarnish them all the same. Since I’ve come here a week ago the experience has been nothing short of special, memorable. We’ll try and do the same for the Americans when they come to visit us in two years’ time.” 

Flanked by daughter Sue Ann and alongside Minister for Sport Patrick O’Donovan, McManus accepted a mounted silver putter surrounded by 24 balls to represent the 24 men who will pitch up to Adare in September 2027. Tiger Woods is rumoured to be the man leading the American challenge. After this week, Luke Donald may have no choice but to helm a European three-peat.

The billionaire has played the key role in bring the Ryder Cup back to Irish shores for the first time in 21 years. He’s adamant the away players and fans won’t face the kind of stick that some of the home crowd here dished out.

“I think they’ll bring warmth and excitement which I’m sure they have here in New York also. But it’s exciting for us. We’re going to the best we can to make it a nice experience for [everyone],” said McManus.

"There’s an awful lot of enthusiasts in Ireland. The fact that we now get to host it, especially in the centenary year makes it all the more exciting. What can I say? We get a lot of Americans, tourists, year-in and year-out who do so much for our country. When they’re back in two years’ time we’re going to try to make it as memorable an experience as possible for them.” 

Asked to highlight the qualities of the course, which underwent a stunning renovation by golf architect Tom Fazio beginning in 2016, McManus was stereotypically understated: “It’s hard to [pick one]. When you have a child, you never have an ugly child, you know. We’re excited to host it. But I think it’s the people, the people of Limerick, the people of Adare and the people of Ireland. They’ve taken ownership of this. This makes them very proud.” 

Inside the ropes all week alongside Limerick manager John Kiely, who is taking a career break to help McManus ramp up towards hosting duties at Adare over the next two years, the scale of what the Ryder Cup has become is crystal clear. Members of the resort team here on the ground have been hugely impressed but also keenly aware of the work to be done between now and then.

The Adare bypass is a key part but there are a plethora of others. Just last week the resort sought planning permission to build 10 new lodges in time for 2027. McManus was hailed by Minster O’Donovan and is confident that political goodwill with help have things ready for the big time.

“The government get these things right so I’ve every confidence that we’ll [be ready]. This wouldn’t have happened without the government and without the support of so many other people. There was enthusiasm to get it to Adare,” said McManus, who hasn’t been out on the course lately “but they tell me it will be in good nick”.

One thing which will be beyond even his control is the climate. He’s hoping Ireland’s second Ryder Cup gets a little luck from above.

“We had a great result in the K Club. The weather wasn’t great!” McManus smiled. “But in spite of that I think everyone had a good time. We’d like a nice week of weather and I’m sure it will be a great week.”