Summary
Rory McIlroy, after contributing to Europe's Ryder Cup victory, was quick to point out the hostile behavior of the New York crowd, calling it "unacceptable and abusive." During his five matches on the Bethpage Black course, McIlroy endured an avalanche of insults ranging from his personal life to past golfing failures. Shouts accompanied him as he prepared to swing and putt, and even his wife was hit by a glass of beer.
“What happened here this week is not acceptable,” McIlroy said Sunday after finishing with a 3-1-1 record and helping Europe beat the United States 15-13. His only loss came in a singles match against world number one Scottie Scheffler, who also played every session. This matchup was more of a grind than a shooting battle between the world’s two best players.
The 36-year-old Northern Irishman arrived at Bethpage with the mission of winning his second Ryder Cup on American soil. At times, he defended himself against the boos, turning and cursing his critics or walking away from a shot until the crowd calmed down. Captain Luke Donald had anticipated a boisterous and passionate atmosphere, even providing the players with virtual reality headsets to help them get used to the noise, but he didn't expect it to be so rude and unpleasant.
Key details
During the tournament, McIlroy asked fans to “shut up” before hitting a game-winning shot. When a spectator yelled at him that he wasn’t that good, he replied, “I’m really good.” In the post-victory press conference, he reaffirmed his ability: “I’m really good.” Although there was still more golf to be played, McIlroy maintained a cautious attitude in post-match interviews, suggesting that people could judge whether fans had crossed the line.
With the Ryder Cup secured and the crowds gone, the five-time major champion felt free to express his opinion. “I don’t think we should accept that in golf,” he told reporters, surrounded by his teammates and captain. “Golf should be held to a higher standard than what was seen this week.” He reflected on the sport that has made him famous and rich, emphasizing that golf has the power to unite people and teach them important life lessons, such as etiquette and respect.
McIlroy emphasized that the inappropriate behavior was the work of a minority in a crowd that was mostly “true golf fans,” who respected both teams and gave them an equal opportunity to compete fairly. As Europe started strong, leading 5.5 to 2.5 after the first day, McIlroy became enemy number one for a small but vocal segment of the American fans.
Statements and context
As European fans cheered him on with a version of The Cranberries song adapted for “Rory,” the Americans tried to unsettle him by reminding him of his missed putt that cost him the 2024 US Open, mocking his height and Irish heritage, and even attacking his wife. “I was there for two days with Erica McIlroy, and the amount of abuse she received was astounding,” said his friend and teammate Shane Lowry, praising her support for her husband and his team.
As the tournament drew to a close, Europe's victory was all but assured, with an 11.5-4.5 lead. Although the U.S. attempted a comeback, with Scheffler defeating McIlroy, the fans were mostly well-behaved, with more than a dozen state troopers in attendance and a marshal warning spectators to remain respectful.
In the end, McIlroy had the last word. After winning the Masters in April and completing his career Grand Slam, he has now won his sixth Ryder Cup in eight attempts, improving his record in the event to 19-14-5. The next Ryder Cup will be played on home soil, at Adare Manor, Ireland. “We’ll make sure we tell our fans in Ireland in 2027 that what happened here this week is not acceptable,” he concluded. “And for me, it’s, you know, come out and support your home team.”
