Watson apologizes to Euros for 'rude' U.S. fans

Two-time U.S. Ryder Cup skipper Tom Watson connected Monday apologized to the winning European squad for the behavior of American fans astatine Bethpage Black.

"I'd similar to congratulate @RyderCupEurope connected their victory," Watson posted to X. "Your squad play the archetypal fewer days was sensational. More importantly, I'd similar to apologize for the rude and mean-spirited behaviour from our American assemblage astatine Bethpage.

"As a erstwhile player, Captain and arsenic an American, I americium ashamed of what happened."

The 76-year-old Watson, who counts 5 Open Championship wins among his 8 large titles, played connected 4 Ryder Cup teams. He was the winning skipper of the U.S. squad successful 1993 successful England, and the losing skipper for the U.S. successful the 2014 matches successful Scotland.

The European team, and Rory McIlroy successful particular, were the people of changeless heckling and insults -- immoderate directed astatine his woman and household -- implicit the three-day lawsuit successful Farmingdale, New York. Oftentimes, the jeers took spot arsenic helium was successful the process of hitting a shot, and it caused delays and prompted the PGA of America to adhd other security.

"I don't deliberation we should ever judge that successful golf," McIlroy said Sunday aft Europe finished disconnected a 15-13 win against the United States. "... I deliberation play should beryllium held to a higher modular than what was seen retired determination this week."

McIlroy aboriginal added: "There was a batch of connection that was unacceptable and abusive behavior."

A video connected societal media showed Lowry having to beryllium held backmost by his caddie arsenic a instrumentality said thing earlier McIlroy deed a thrust Saturday. Another video showed McIlroy walking with his wife, Erica, erstwhile a brew appeared to beryllium thrown successful their absorption and deed her.

U.S. squad subordinate Justin Thomas, aft witnessing the verbal maltreatment directed toward McIroy and Shane Lowry connected Satuday, said "we felt for them."

"It was unfortunate," Thomas said. "Cam [Young] and I conscionable wished that we gave them thing to cheer for alternatively of radical to cheer against. I deliberation that was benignant of the main statement of the past 2 days, that we weren't giving them capable to cheer for, and they were conscionable trying to assistance america win. I conjecture that's the New York fans for you."

ESPN's Paolo Uggetti contributed to this report.