Rory McIlroy says an apology from the PGA of America helped close a bruising Ryder Cup week as he questions LIV Golf’s new 72-hole format

Rory McIlroy has revealed that PGA of America chief executive Derek Sprague personally apologised after the abuse directed at him and his wife, Erica, during Europe’s Ryder Cup victory at Bethpage Black. The world No. 2 said the gesture helped bring closure to what had been an emotionally charged and hostile week in New York.

“I got a lovely email from Derek Sprague apologising,” McIlroy told BBC Sport ahead of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. “Erica worked with Derek at the PGA of America back in the day, so we know Derek and his wife pretty well. He couldn’t have been more gracious or apologetic, and he wrote us a lovely letter, which we really appreciated.”

The apology came after a beer thrown from the crowd struck Erica McIlroy’s hat during one of the most intense Ryder Cups in recent memory. McIlroy, who became a focal point for the raucous home crowd, admitted that while the abuse was difficult to handle, it ultimately strengthened the European team’s unity.

“I take it as a compliment that they targeted me, but at the same time, it was a tough week,” he said. “That made us better as a team. It galvanised us and really put our arms around each other.”

The United States captain, Keegan Bradley, later described the behaviour of the home fans as “passionate,” but stopped short of condemning it. McIlroy, by contrast, has been candid about the toll of that atmosphere, describing the week as both challenging and transformative for the European side, who edged out the hosts in a dramatic contest.

As McIlroy prepares for the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, he reflected on what he called one of the finest seasons of his career. “I think back to the start in January of 2025 when I was last here and everything that’s happened since,” he said. “Honestly, in my wildest dreams, I didn’t know. I mean, I knew a year like this was possible, but it has just been an amazing 10 months.”

The Northern Irishman also turned his attention to LIV Golf’s announcement that it will switch to 72-hole tournaments from 2026, a move widely viewed as an attempt to gain Official World Golf Ranking points. McIlroy questioned the reasoning behind the change, calling it “peculiar.”

“I think it’s a peculiar move because they could have got ranking points with three rounds,” he said. “I don’t think three rounds versus four rounds was what was holding them back. It certainly puts them more in line with traditional golf tournaments, but if that’s what they felt they needed to do, then that’s what they had to do.”

However, McIlroy doubts that extending LIV events will meaningfully improve its players’ world rankings. “Say they get world ranking points, but because their strength of field is going to be so weak, a lot of those guys have already fallen in the rankings, I don’t know if it’ll really benefit them,” he said. “It’ll be interesting to see how it plays out.”

After a season marked by Ryder Cup triumph, consistent form, and a renewed sense of perspective, McIlroy’s focus now turns to finishing his campaign strongly in Dubai. “It’s been an amazing journey,” he said. “To end it on a high note would be the perfect way to close the year.”