Xander Schauffele’s father Stefan Schauffele, decided not to attend the Ryder Cup 2025 with Black Bethpage after being put off by the driving of Rory McILroy during the 2023 tournament in Rome.
Schauffele, who plays for the United States team alongside Patrick Cantlay during Friday’s quartets against Robert Macintyre and Viktor Hovland, will not have his father on site this time. Stefan Schauffele was a central figure in his son’s career, but explained earlier this year that he no longer wanted to be part of the Ryder Cup environment.
Talk to TimeHe said the atmosphere during recent events had become toxic. He remembers having attended whistling deadlines in 2021, where he heard the fans of Shane Lowry’s wife.
“I couldn’t believe my ears,” said Stefan Schauffele.
He added that what had happened in Rome two years later only strengthened his point of view. He said:
“It was completely disgusting to claim this money Bull *** T and Rory (McILroy) behaved disgusting in my opinion (when he faced Caddy by Patrick Cantlay, Joe Lacava).”
The Rome incident to which he referred came after Cantlay put on a key putt on the 18th green. Lacava agitated his hat to celebrate, which, according to Rory McILroy, distracted him while he was preparing to put. The dispute continued on the green and then in the parking lot, where McILroy also argued with the Caddy of Justin Thomas, Jim “Bones” Mackay.
Stefan Schauffele thinks that such flash points have removed the true spirit of competition.
“It ruined my appetite for the Ryder Cup. It becomes inaccessible,” he said.
He also warned that hostility between players and fans could get worse.
His absence is notable because Stefan Schauffele has long been close to the career and the development of his son. But this week, Schauffele will participate in New York without him in the crowd.
Rory McILroy lights the fire in team Europe at the Ryder Cup
While Tommy Fleetwood aligned his winning putt on the 14th green, Rory McILroy turned away from his partner and looked at European fans behind the green. When the ball dropped, the crowd jumped on the feet and McILroy pumped his arms to celebrate.
The Fleetwood putt won a 5 and 4 victory in the First Morning Foursomes with Black Bethpage. Fleetwood was stable, but McILroy stood out, brilliantly putting for five years through eight holes against Harris English and Collin Morikawa. A short handshake on green was closest to Americans.
Rory McILroy has been confident. Earlier in the week, he spoke of finding a balance between being too conflicting in Hazeltine and too silent in the delays of deadlines. This time, he went with a calm challenge, smiling even on the first tee while the songs of “F *** you, Rory!” came from the gallery.
Published by Rupesh
