The Ryder Cup indignation is well placed following three wildly contentious days, but it is also a little misplaced.
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FARMINGDALE,N.Y.–ThesevendaysofvitriolandboorishbehaviortheEuropeanRyderCupteamenduredatBethpageisunacceptable.Fullstop.
Thisisn’tthehandwringingofagolfpuristclingingtothenotionofantiquateddecorum,thefull-throatedanticsofsomeofNewYork’sworstisunacceptableinanycornerofsociety,notjustasportingevent.Nooneshouldhavetosufferthelimitlessslingsandarrowsofthedrunkenmasses,andnoonesufferedmorethanRoryMcIlroy.
“Idon’tthinkweshouldeveracceptthatingolf.Ithinkgolfshouldbeheldtoahigherstandardthanwhatwasseenouttherethisweek,”saidMcIlroy,whoembracedhisroleasEurope’schiefantagonistatBethpage.“Golfhastheabilitytounitepeople.Golfteachesyouverygoodlifelessons.Itteachesyouetiquette.Itteachesyouhowtoplaybytherules.Itteachesyouhowtorespectpeople.ThisshouldnotbewhatisacceptableintheRyderCup.”
MorethantwodozenNewYorkStatePoliceofficersweredispatchedtoMcIlroy’sfourballmatchSaturdayto
