LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — 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.

Europe held off a stirring final day fightback from the United States to win, 15-13, in New York in September.

McIlroy was the center of attention for a hostile home crowd with incessant abuse with a beer thrown at his wife, Erica McIlroy, which hit her on the hat.

“I got a lovely email 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 to win the Ryder Cup on foreign soil for 13 years.

“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.