PGA of America president keeps head in the sand over Ryder Cup depravity

It was tough to watch. The world's best golfers, there to both entertain and try to win, were the target of a vile and boisterous New York crowd at Bethpage this past weekend.

Social media is awash with clips of fans unleashing on the players, in particular, Rory McIlroy. He was called a 'f*****', vilified by an announcer on the ground that led a "F*** you Rory" chant and one patron even threw a drink at his wife Erica Stoll.

Speaking to the BBC after Team Europe won 15-13, Rea was given a chance to address the crowd's abominable behaviour.

"Well, you have 50,000 people there that are really excited and - heck - you can go to a youth soccer game and get some people who say the wrong things," quipped Rea.

"We tell the fans: booing somebody doesn't make them play worse. Typically, it makes them play better. When our American players have to control the crowds, that distracts them from playing."

When pressed further about the verbal abuse, Rea continued smiling but turned a blind eye.

"I haven't heard some of that, I'm sure it's happened," he said.

"It happened when we were in Rome on the other side and Rory understands things like that are going to happen and I don't know what was said. But all I know is golf the engine of good."

Earlier, Rea made a verbal blunder at the trophy ceremony, congratulating Europe for 'retaining' the Ryder Cup - as if there had been a tie - rather than winning it outright, which they did by two points.