FARMINGDALE, N.Y. (AP) — Rory McIlroy recently helped Europe win the Ryder Cup but had strong words about the crowd in New York, calling their behavior “unacceptable.”
During the tournament at Bethpage Black, McIlroy faced a barrage of insults. Some fans shouted personal jabs while he prepared for his shots, and his wife even got hit with a beer cup. After the match, McIlroy stated, “What happened here this week is not acceptable.” He finished with a record of 3 wins, 1 loss, and 1 tie, contributing significantly to Europe’s 15-13 victory over the United States.
New York fans are known for their passion, but McIlroy seemed taken aback by the intensity. Coach Luke Donald had even prepared the team for noise using virtual reality goggles, but the atmosphere turned out to be more abrasive than expected.
At one point, McIlroy pushed back against hecklers, telling a fan to “shut the (expletive) up” as he made a crucial shot. He defended his skill, saying, “I’m (expletive) very good.”
In his post-match interviews, McIlroy reflected on golf’s principles: “Golf should be held to a higher standard.” He emphasized how the sport teaches respect and good sportsmanship, values that seemed to diminish during the competition. “Sometimes this week we didn’t see that,” he noted.
Shane Lowry, McIlroy’s teammate, voiced his concern about the treatment of McIlroy’s wife. “The amount of abuse that she received was astonishing,” he said. Lowry even stepped in to defend her as tensions flared.
Despite the crowd’s hostility, the Europeans surged ahead, claiming an impressive 11.5 to 4.5 lead. As the Americans tried to make a comeback, the atmosphere calmed down significantly, with local law enforcement monitoring to ensure civility.
By the tournament’s end, McIlroy not only celebrated his victory but also looked ahead. He has now won six Ryder Cups in eight attempts, improving his overall record in the event to 19-14-5. He’ll also have the chance to play the next Ryder Cup at Adare Manor in Ireland, a home-field advantage he plans to make clear to fans: “[What happened here] is not acceptable.”
This incident has sparked discussions on social media about fan behavior and sportsmanship. Many argue that while passion is part of sports, respect should always come first.
As McIlroy concludes, “Support your players. That’s the thing.”
For more on the Ryder Cup, check AP’s coverage here.
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Golf, Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry, Luke Donald, Ryder Cup, Europe, New York, Sports – Europe, New York City, Sports, Adare Manor
