Donald Trump has responded to a taunting video message from the celebrating Europe Ryder Cup team following their thrilling victory in the biannual competition.
Cup in hand, the Europe team, all still dressed in their final-day outfits, chanted: “Are you watching, are you watching, are you watching, Donald Trump?”
It appeared as a phone video on Mr Trump’s Truth Social platform at 2.40am, UK time, with the message “Yes, I’m watching. Congratulations!”
The friendly exchange between the US president, a big golf fan and frequent player of the game who came to the first day’s play, and Europe’s players was in stark contrast to the on-course atmosphere they faced.
Rory McIlroy was often the target of boos and heckles at the Bethpage Black course in New York State – some of which were led by the Ryder Cup first-tee announcer over a megaphone on Saturday.
Heather McMahan encouraged a chant of “f*** you Rory” ahead of Saturday’s morning session. She has apologised and stepped down from her role, the PGA of America said on Sunday.
Later on Saturday, the Northern Irishman hit back by telling a spectator to “shut the f*** up” while his teammate Shane Lowry was seen being held back by his caddie as he tried to confront someone.
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In another clash, America’s Bryson DeChambeau confronted Europe’s Justin Rose after he asked DeChambeau’s caddie to move while he was lining up a putt.
Multiple spectators were thrown out of the event over their behaviour.
McIllroy, the world number two, also revealed his wife Erica had beer thrown at her on Saturday, but said she was “fine”.
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Play was repeatedly held up as police tried to restore calm on the course and, speaking to reporters after the win was complete, the Northern Irishman said in what may have been a joke: “I wish they had let the dogs off the leashes.
“The police out there and the amount of security presence was insane.
“Look, nothing was going to happen – there wasn’t going to be physical altercation or anything like that – but there was a lot of language that was unacceptable and abusive behaviour.
“The majority of people here are true golf fans and are respectful, but I don’t think we should ever accept that in golf.”
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“Golf teaches you very good life lessons, it teaches you etiquette, it teaches you how to play by the rules, it teaches you how to respect people.
“Sometimes this week we didn’t see that. So no, this should not be what is acceptable in the Ryder Cup.”
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The Europe team posted a number of videos on X as they celebrated their triumph, the first by a visiting team in the event since 2012.
In one, the team sings “Europe’s on fire, the USA is terrified” to the tune of Freed From Desire, while a second is a team sing-along to The Cranberries’ Zombie, with “he’s in your head, Rory.”
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Europe’s team, led by British two-time captain Luke Donald, won by 15 points to 13, after the USA staged an unforgettable comeback that threatened to derail Europe’s seemingly inevitable success following a dominant opening two days’ play.
