The final day of the Ryder Cup started without incident this afternoon after experiencing what PGA of America CEO Pete Bevacqua described as "a couple unfortunate incidents" yesterday with fans. One fan was thrown out after comments he reportedly made to European player Rory McIlroy, and Bevacqua this morning said the PGA would be enacting a "zero-tolerance policy" today. Bevacqua: "We don’t want the behavior of a small handful of people to in any way detract from the unbelievable celebration this has been." He added, "It’s a shame because ... 99.9% of (the fans) have been absolutely spectacular" ("Live From the Ryder Cup," Golf Channel, 10/2).
The "general tenor Saturday afternoon" at the Ryder Cup was "nasty" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 10/2). Meanwhile, only "one spectator was shown the gate" on Friday (ST. PAUL PIONEER-PRESS, 10/1). Golf Channel analyst Jim Gallagher Jr. said of fans' comments, "When they get personal and nasty, there's just no need for that." Golf Channel's Tim Rosaforte added, "This is not what Arnold Palmer would want. ... The PGA has done a wonderful job with the zero-tolerance rule. (But) it should have probably been in effect a day sooner" ("Live From the Ryder Cup," Golf Channel, 10/2).
