Tour pro: Roy Keane's explosive Ryder Cup rant "fundamentally missed the point"
English professional golfer Eddie Pepperell has offered his verdict on Roy Keane's explosive rant about what transpired at the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black in New York.
English tour pro Eddie Pepperell says Roy Keane's explosive Ryder Cup rant "fundamentally missed the point".
Former Manchester United captain Keane, 54, dug out the European team, Rory McIlroy and even their wives and girlfriends over what transpired during their 15-13 away win at Bethpage Black.
McIlroy bore the brunt of verbale abuse from a hostile New York crowd and even his own wife, Erica, was struck by a drink thrown from an American fan.
Keane told the Stick to Football podcast he had "no sympathy" as the players knew what they were going to be on the receiving end of.
Had he been in that situation, Keane said he would've urged his significant other to wait in the hotel. As for the hecklers, Keane explained that golfers should try going to play at Elland Road or Anfield.
Keane's tongue in cheek comments were made shortly after nine-time major champion Gary Player unloaded on the Ryder Cup, explaining he was in "a state of shock" with what he witnessed.
A disgusted Player, 89, described the Ryder Cup as "the worst event in the world".
Player said the United States' Scottie Scheffler and Europe's Tommy Fleetwood are the only players he admires over how they behave on the golf course.
Pepperell told the most recent edition of The Chipping Forecast that Keane's rant was humorous, but missed the points McIlroy and Player have made.
"Of course, it was very funny," said Pepperell. "And there were aspects I agreed with, although fundamentally he missed the point that Rory was making.
"The point Rory was making, which is ultimately the point Gary Player made, is that this isn't golf - and that isn't what the Ryder Cup is about.
"I happen to side with Gary Player and Rory McIlroy on that. What differentiates the Ryder Cup, and what differentiates golf from just playing anywhere, is the class of the spectator and the etiquette.
"The quality of behaviour is different - it's less tribal and generally more pleasant."
Pepperell added: "I would rather golf maintain that than go down the path football has historically taken. I'm not saying football is bad, of course, but golf is different. And I think that's the point Rory is making."
Shift the narrative, says McIlroy
McIlroy has spoken on the subject of Ryder Cup abuse on several occasions since winning his sixth Ryder Cup with Team Europe.
Speaking before the inaugural DP World India Championship last week, McIlroy said he wanted to "shift the narrative".
"The unfortunate thing is people aren't remembering that [performance] and they are remembering the week for the wrong reason," said the Northern Irishman, who contributed three-and-a-half points as Europe won 15-13.
"I would like to shift the narrative and focus on how good the European team were and how proud I was to be part of that team to win an away Ryder Cup."
McIlroy also admitted, unsurprisingly, that he harbours aspirations to one day be the captain.
But not for another decade, he said.
"Certainly not 2027 [at Adare Manor in Ireland]," he said.
"I hope I'm still playing at that point and good enough to put points on the board for Europe. But yeah, I would love to be the European team captain at some point.
"But that will be when I'm not good enough to make the team, or I make way for the new generation to come along."