Comedian and actress Heather McMahan has stepped down from her role as emcee at the Ryder Cup after a viral video was posted on social media of her joining in with the Bethpage Black crowd in an expletive-laden chant directed at Rory McIlroy.
The PGA of America, which runs the Ryder Cup in the U.S., released a statement that McMahan has sent an apology to McIlroy, who was the target of fans on Saturday, and she will not return for Sunday’s final day of competition.
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“Heather McMahan has extended an apology to Rory Mcllroy and Ryder Cup Europe and has stepped down from hosting the first tee of the Ryder Cup,” said the PGA of America.
The video, posted by Brendan Porath of The Fried Egg, shows McMahan first directing fans in the grandstand behind the first and 18th holes in a “DeChambeau!” chant. That crowd quickly transitioned into “F—- you, Rory!,” which was heard numerous times over the opening two days. At the end of the clip, McMahan joins in on the vulgar McIlroy chant.
Warning: strong language
The Bethpage Black crowds have made McIlroy the No. 1 target during the first two days of the Ryder Cup. On Friday, he was seen flipping off the crowd as he walked off a hole. On Saturday, tired of the heckling as he was standing over a ball, McIlroy told the crowd to “Shut the f—-, up” before promptly putting a shot feet away from the pin on the 16th hole.
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On the sixth hole Saturday afternoon, McIlroy stayed in a crouch on the green and was seen saying that he wasn’t going to putt “until [the crowd] shut up.”
The abuse only escalated, resulting in an increased security presence around McIlroy and Shane Lowry, who was also targeted by the crowd.
“I don’t mind them having a go at us. Like that’s to be expected. I mean, that’s what an away Ryder Cup is,” McIlroy said after Saturday morning’s session. “Whenever they are still doing it while you are over the ball and trying to hit your shot, that’s the tough thing.”
McIlroy, who is 3-0-1 after the first two days, will finish his Ryder Cup on Sunday with a singles match against world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler.
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Europe needs only 2 1/2 points to retain the Ryder Cup as they lead the U.S. 11 1/2 to 4 1/2 entering Sunday singles.
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