U.S actress and comedian Heather McMahan has reportedly apologised to golfer Rory McIlroy for leading a vulgar chant about the world number two player at yesterday’s Ryder Cup in New York.
In a statement released to BBC Sport, the PGA of America, which runs the competition, said: “Heather has extended an apology to Rory Mcllroy and Ryder Cup Europe and has stepped down from hosting the first tee of the Ryder Cup.” We have reached out to her reps for comment.
McMahan was captured on social media seemingly shouting a “f*** you, Rory” chant into a megaphone at the first tee of the event in a bid to get the U.S. crowd amped up. The actress and comedian was part of the event’s hype team before the players tee off.
Golf fans took to social media to express their surprise and dismay over McMahan’s chant.
One said: “Someone on the payroll of the @PGA, who was paid to lead the crowd in chants, led them in a ‘F*** you, Rory’ this morning as parents sat in the stands with their kids at the @rydercup. This is the state of golf in America, 2025.”
Another added: “Heard the audio of this. It’s a disgrace if that person is the emcee again on the first tee tomorrow. All for getting the crowd riled up but that’s deplorable.”
There were ugly scenes at the Bethpage golf course throughout yesterday’s second day of play as European players, McIlroy in particular, were routinely heckled and abused by rowdy fans, including while standing over shots. Abuse reportedly ranged from insults about players’ weight to attacks on their wives.
Multiple spectators were ejected and others got into verbal disputes with players. At one point a fight broke out in the stands and McIlroy himself got into a verbal altercation with a fan after taking exception to him bellowing in his direction just before he was about to take a shot.
Organisers posted messages to their big screens reminding spectators of proper conduct but later in the day police had to move in to stand in front of spectators.
The belligerence from U.S. fans only seemed to fire up the European players who are on the verge of Ryder Cup victory having built up a commanding 11.5 – 4.5 lead over their U.S. hosts.
President Trump was in attendance at the event but couldn’t inspire the U.S. players to make up ground on their European rivals.
McMahan has had comedy specials on Netflix and Hulu and in 2021 starred in the Netflix rom-com Love Hard.
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