Ryder Cup controversy 'won't happen again', reckon 2027 captains

Fan behaviour at next year’s Ryder Cup in Ireland will not be a repeat of the “over-the-top” scenes in the 2025 match in New York, according to opposing captains Luke Donald and Jim Furyk.

Rory McIlroy in particular was the target of some shocking abuse at Bethpage Black last September as Europe held off a last-day fightback from the Americans to retain the coveted trophy.

Next year’s match at Adare Manor is the centenary edition and, speaking at the County Limerick venue on Tuesday, both captains said they were confident the contest will take place in a non-hostile environment.

Tam US captain Jim Furyk, left, and his European counterpart Luke Donald pose with the trophy during the Ryder Cup 2027 Year to Go event Adare Manor in Limerick | Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

“I think that we have to acknowledge that absolutely at Bethpage, the fan behaviour was over the top,” said Furyk, who is captaining the US for a second time after being at the helm in France in 2018.

“I think it's something that we need to reiterate and keep talking about; that the PGA of America has taken the steps for the future for that not to happen again.

“What I expect here is a great European crowd. I think we admire how well organised they are, how they use the chants from soccer to make even more noise in unison, and I expect that they will be cheering and supporting their team like they always have.”

Donald, who is bidding to create history as the first captain to win three times, added: “It’s my responsibility as the home captain to play this Ryder Cup in the right spirit. We want the best team to win on the golf course.

“From what I’ve seen from all the previous examples of playing here in Ireland, that has been the case, and so I expect that to happen next year again at Adare.”