Tom Watson apologises for 'rude and mean-spirited behaviour' of USA fans at Ryder Cup

USA Ryder Cup great Tom Watson has apologised for the “rude and mean-spirited behaviour” of the American fans at Bethpage Black over the weekend. Pic: Richard Sellers/PA Wire.

USA Ryder Cup great Tom Watson has apologised for the “rude and mean-spirited behaviour” of the American fans at Bethpage Black over the weekend.

Europe survived a late fightback in the singles on Sunday to secure a 15-13 victory with Shane Lowry sinking a putt to retain the famous trophy before Tyyrell Hatton secured the win outright.

But the tournament was marred by the actions of some of the spectators with abuse constantly aimed at the European players, in particular Rory McIlroy, whose wife Erica Stroll was also subjected to the vitriol.

I’d like to congratulate @RyderCupEurope on their victory. Your team play the first few days was sensational.

More importantly, I’d like to apologize for the rude and mean-spirited behavior from our American crowd at Bethpage.

As a former player, Captain and as an American, I…

— Tom Watson (@TomWatsonPGA) September 29, 2025

And on Monday, Watson, who played on four Ryder Cup teams and captained the American side to victory in 1993, took to social media to congratulate Europe and express his disappointment at the behaviour of some of his compatriots.

“I’d like to congratulate Ryder Cup Europe on their victory. Your team play the first few days was sensational," began the 76-year-old.

"More importantly, I’d like to apologize for the rude and mean-spirited behaviour from our American crowd at Bethpage.

"As a former player, Captain and as an American, I am ashamed of what happened."