PGA of America removes president Don Rea Jr over Ryder Cup gaffes

The PGA of America has removed president Don Rea Jr with immediate effect following his controversial handling of unruly fan behaviour at the Ryder Cup.

The organisation’s board of directors confirmed a leadership transition on Friday after suspending the executive for the remainder of his term, which was due to conclude in November.

Current vice-president Nathan Charnes has been immediately elevated to the role of acting president.

Bethpage Black controversy

The dismissed chief faced severe criticism following the September tournament in New York, where European players were subjected to vitriolic and expletive-laden abuse.

He initially downplayed the hostile atmosphere directed at Rory McIlroy and his team-mates, comparing the crowd’s hostility to what might be heard at a youth football match.

A week later, the embattled executive issued an apology via email to the governing body’s 30,000-plus golf professionals.

“Some fan behavior clearly crossed the line and was disrespectful, inappropriate, and not representative of who we are as the PGA of America or as PGA of America golf professionals.”

He also admitted in the correspondence that his initial remarks had failed to represent the American golf authority in the best possible light.

Apologies and past dismissals

His eventual retraction followed a prior apology made by chief executive Derek Sprague directly to McIlroy and the Northern Irishman’s wife, Erica.

Further scrutiny fell upon the ousted president during the competition’s closing ceremony, where he awkwardly claimed Europe had retained the trophy rather than acknowledging their outright victory.

This development marks the second time the organisation has abruptly dismissed its figurehead over inappropriate public conduct.

In 2014, Ted Bishop was forced out of the exact same role after publishing a social media post that angrily referred to European stalwart Ian Poulter as a “lil girl”.