Former England batsman Kevin Pietersen has used the embarrassing crowd scenes at the Ryder Cup golf tournament this week to have a crack at Australia’s cricket fans.
The Ryder Cup was marred by rowdy American fans in New York abusing the European players and partners throughout the tournament, won by the visitors.
Irish golf star Rory McIlroy was involved in several confrontations and his wife Erica had a beer can thrown at her in one outrageous incident.
A ground announcer hired by the PGA of America was sacked for leading a “f–k you, Rory” chant before the second morning of competition.
Shane Lowry, who played alongside McIlroy, said Erica was a constant target of American abuse.
“I was out there for two days with Erica McIlroy, and the amount of abuse that she received was astonishing,” Lowry said.
Pietersen, who travelled to Australia as an England player and later as a TV commentator, was asked about the crowd on Sky Sports.
“I’ve played in some hostile environments in Australia,” Pietersen said. “I can relay some stories, which I won’t do, which were so bad. That’s sport, it is what it is.
“I know it’s not the game of golf, and I get it, and I understand it, but for one week of the year, it is what it is.
“These guys are there, they’re fiercely competitive, they want to try to back their team, they’re playing for their country.
“I’ve had some pretty dark experiences in Australia playing for England. From what I saw, some of it pales into insignificance when compared to some of the things I’ve heard when playing in Australia.
“You just understand it and you accept it and you get on with it. McIlroy reacts the way McIlroy reacted, and it’s amazing. It’s great for the sport, it’s great for that event.
“But it’s just a week of the year that just gets everybody gripped into the game. We all were, we all loved it, and they all live happily ever after. Monday morning, they’ll all be friends again, and everything’s good.”
US golf legend Tom Watson had a different view on the behaviour of his compatriots.
“I’d like to congratulate Europe on their victory,” said Watson on X. “Your team play the first few days was sensational. More importantly, I’d like to apologise for the rude and mean-spirited behaviour from our American crowd at Bethpage. As a former player, captain and as an American I am ashamed of what happened.”
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