London ¨C Rory McIlroy said PGA of America chief executive Derek Sprague sent him a personal apology for the abuse the Northern Irishman and his wife suffered during Europe¡¯s Ryder Cup victory in September.
Europe held off a stirring final day fightback from the United States to win 15-13 in New York.
McIlroy was the center of attention for a hostile home crowd with incessant abuse and a beer even thrown at his wife, Erica McIlroy, which hit her on the hat.
¡°I got a lovely e-mail from Derek Sprague apologizing,¡± McIlroy told the BBC ahead of the Abu Dhabi Championship.
¡°Erica worked with Derek at the PGA of America back in the day, so we know Derek and his wife pretty well.
¡°He couldn¡¯t have been more gracious or apologetic, and he wrote us a lovely letter, which we really appreciated.¡±
McIlroy at times hit back at the crowd but said the abuse backfired as it ¡°galvanized¡± the European players to become the first side in 13 years to win the Ryder Cup on foreign soil.
¡°I take it as a compliment that they targeted me, but then at the same time, it was a tough week,¡± added the world No. 2.
¡°That made us better as a team. It galvanized us, and it really put our arms around each other.¡±
McIlroy can cap a dream year with a fourth DP World Tour Championship in Dubai later this month.
He ended an 11-year wait to win a major by claiming his first Masters in dramatic fashion in April and also won the Irish Open, Players¡¯ Championship and Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
¡°I knew a year like this was possible, but it has just been an amazing 10 months,¡± said the five-time major champion.
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