Golf legend rips into Ryder Cup security and slams PGA of America President

Golf legend Tony Jacklin CBE has torn into Ryder Cup organisers following Europe’s dramatic win at Bethpage Black last month. 

Four-time European Ryder Cup captain Jacklin, 81, believes the security at Bethpage simply "wasn’t up to it" and he insists PGA of America President Don Rea is "lucky to still be in a job" after the chaotic and often ugly atmosphere in New York. 

Jacklin, who captained Europe to back-to-back victories in 1985 and 1987, has broken his silence on the 2025 Ryder Cup where Luke Donald’s side triumphed 15–13 to retain the trophy and secure Europe’s first away win since Medinah in 2012.

Donald matched Jacklin's feat of being the only other captain to win two Ryder Cups on the bounce. 

Golf legend Tony Jacklin hits out at Bethpage security at Ryder Cup

Jacklin thinks parts of the New York galleries were "despicable" and that Ryder Cup security simply failed to keep the abuse under control, particularly during the volatile Saturday afternoon fourballs, in particular the match between Rory McIlroy & Shane Lowry and Justin Thomas & Cameron Young.

That match saw McIlroy and Lowry subjected to relentless verbal taunts from the home crowd — and in one shocking incident, a drink was even thrown at McIlroy’s wife, Erica.

"What disappointed me was the behaviour of sections of the American galleries,”"Jacklin told Champions Speakers.

"It was despicable at times. They even came within minutes of stopping play. Security wasn’t up to it."

Jacklin said he couldn’t believe what he witnessed, calling it a dark mark on golf’s showpiece event.

"When you’ve got a mass of people and an announcer apparently leading anti-opposition chants — who needs that? Golf doesn’t."

Jacklin also didn't hold back when it came to the PGA of America, claiming the body had completely underestimated the scale of the event — and the intensity of a New York crowd that, at times, crossed the line.

"Eamonn Lynch [golf writer] suggested the PGA of America might need a partner to help organise something that’s become so massive, and I don’t disagree. You can’t just assume it’ll be fine — you need careful management and the right venue setup."

But Jacklin's strongest words were aimed directly at PGA of America President Don Rea, who claimed during the contest that the atmosphere at Bethpage was similar to the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome.

Tony Jacklin thinks PGA President lucky to still have a job after Ryder Cup comments

Jacklin wasn’t having any of it.

"I think the President of the PGA of America is fortunate to still be in the job after suggesting it was a similar situation to Rome. It wasn’t. The behaviour from sections of the galleries was despicable at times. Security wasn’t up to scratch in my view."

Despite the controversy, Jacklin hailed Donald’s European team for how they handled the mayhem at Bethpage.

"They did a hell of a job,” he said. “I think they were forewarned and well prepared — Luke deserves credit for that. From what I’ve read, they visited two or three times before the event. Luke wasn’t taking anything for granted."

Jacklin said Europe "hit the ground running" and praised Donald for his meticulous preparation and leadership.

"Luke did a thorough job. He was absolutely the right captain. He’d had a dry run in Rome with essentially the same side — 11 of the same players — so he already knew which partnerships clicked."

The four-time captain admitted the final day had him on edge, saying it reminded him of the 1989 Ryder Cup when momentum swung wildly.

“At one point I thought it would be done by three o’clock. But I was still there around 5:15 and it turned into a memorable contest. If Shane [Lowry] doesn’t hole that putt, it could have flipped to the Americans. It was that close.”

Jacklin said the American home advantage "went too far" this time, calling the atmosphere "fragile" and "close to boiling over."

"I always believed Europe could win on a level playing field. Back in the 1980s we fixed the big issues — how the team is treated, time together, logistics — and results followed.

"This time, though, the home-crowd advantage was pushed to the limit. It felt fragile. But in the end, it was all right, and it’s given the Americans something to think about. I read comments from past U.S. captains who were ashamed of the behaviour — that says a lot."

English golf legend Jacklin added he expects a much more respectful atmosphere when the Ryder Cup heads to Adare Manor in Ireland in 2027.

"In Ireland, if we’re all still kicking, I expect a very different atmosphere."

Jacklin, a two-time major champion, also took time to hail Tommy Fleetwood, who top-scored for Europe with four points from five matches at Bethpage and has since climbed to a career-high fifth in the world.

Fleetwood’s win at the DP World India Championship last week followed his first PGA Tour victory at the Tour Championship, where he also scooped the FedEx Cup title and $10m bonus.

“Tommy is an all-round good egg and now one of the best golfers in the world. He’s paid his dues with so many close calls that he must have wondered if it would ever happen. I’m delighted for him."

In the end, Jacklin said Europe’s composure and unity shone through against all odds — but warned that the PGA of America must urgently review how it stages future Ryder Cups on US soil. 

"Luke and his team deserve immense credit for how they handled everything thrown at them — on and off the course. What they achieved in that atmosphere was extraordinary."

Whether Donald keeps hold of the captain's armband to go in search of becoming the first and only captain to win three Ryder Cups in a row remains to be seen. 

Here at GolfMagic, we think it's quite frankly a no-brainer decision. 

Jacklin was speaking with Champions Speakers, headline sponsor of the Champions UK plc European Senior Masters in association with Equals Money.