Crowd abuse was regrettably a key feature of the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, where Europe triumphed over the USA.
American Ryder Cup fans were evicted following their abuse of the visiting players, who left New York scarred but as champions.
Rory McIlroy was targeted by fans in New York, where a raucous crowd created a hostile atmosphere for the Team Europe players.
McIlroy was proud of overcoming the noise at Bethpage Black, where European captain Luke Donald orchestrated a 15-13 success for the away side.
It represents their fifth Ryder Cup victory away from home, while Europe have now lifted the trophy at back-to-back editions of the tournament.
Nicolas Colsaerts calls for Ryder Cup rule change after Bethpage Black fan abuse
The 2027 Ryder Cup is set for Adare Manor in Ireland, ahead of which former winner Nicolas Colsaerts has called for a rule change.
Speaking of the abuse the Europeans received before playing at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship this week, he said: “Well, I think that, again, a Ryder Cup in the US is never easy. If you look at the last couple of ones, whatever, okay, it was hot. Oak Hill was hard. Medinah was hard. Hazeltine was also hard for us; we lost.
“We go to Whistling Straits and we have no fans. And now you’re going to New York and you have to deal with the abuse of the crowds.
“The first two rounds were absolutely incredible to watch. I’ve looked at it from an eye of how was I able to do this 13 years ago? What they have been able to do, the arena that they had to play in, and the level that they were still able to display I thought was off the charts.
“But we kind of knew it was going to get over the line. You know, when I was in the running for being a vice captain, I told Rachel, when we go, you’re going to have to get ready to be insulted. She’s like, oh, yeah, I think I can do this. But I think it’s worse than anybody would have anticipated, including myself.
“But like Rory said yesterday, I’m not sure that anyone would be ready to go and play a Ryder Cup like that. I think The PGA of America maybe would have or could have handled the situation a little bit better at times.”
And when asked what can be done going forward, the Belgian replied: “I think that you have to be extremely strict. You know, yes, sport has become in the modern era, sport has become something else. There’s no doubt that sport has become entertainment.
“But when you are in an arena like this and there is this on instruction, this violence in content and abuse from the crowd, that’s not what it meant to be, or what Samuel Ryder would have thought; going back a hundred years, the world has changed.
“The thing that doesn’t sit well is Americans think they have the same issues when they come to Europe, and I think this is the example that we need. I think you just have to be stricter. There’s no choice. Otherwise, it will quickly get over the line like it was.”
He was pushed to expand on his ‘stricter’ comment, with Colsaerts saying: “You can’t punish the ones that can’t handle their drink but as soon as you say something stupid, you’re out. It’s not the job of the European players to tell the security the guys should be booted out.
“There should be people there to know when a line is crossed, and it’s just unfortunate that something like that had not been put in place, and some of our guys, in the middle of the Ryder Cup playing golf against 12 very good American golfers have to police themselves.”
What is Nicolas Colsaerts’s history at the Ryder Cup?
It’s fair to say that Colsaerts knows a thing or two about playing at a Ryder Cup, particularly as a European in America.
The Belgian lined out for Team Europe at the 2012 Ryder Cup, which has been labelled the Miracle at Medinah.
Jose Maria Olazabal led the visitors to an unforgettable comeback over Davis Love III’s USA side that year in Illinois.
Colsaerts scored one point en route to the success, ending his Ryder Cup career with that sole appearance and a 1-3-0 record.
His current focus is now on the DP World Tour, where the 42-year-old is set to make his 500th appearance.
It’s a stunning feat from the 2012 Ryder Cup champion, who completes a stacked field at St Andrews this week.
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