While Team Europe looks to nab a dominant road win at the 45th annual Ryder Cup at Bethpage State Park Golf Course, the American crowd in Farmingdale, New York, is doing its best to throw the U.S. team’s opponent off its game.
Rory McIlroy, the No. 2-ranked golfer in the world, is fielding a notable amount of hate. PGA reporter Jeff Eisenband posted on Saturday, September 27, “I’m telling you all, as someone who was at the Ryder Cup on Friday, the things being yelled at Rory McIlroy simply aren’t acceptable.
“It’s not about Rory needing to have thick skin. It’s about fans crossing the line from a human standpoint and hurling insults about his family.”
American hecklers finally got under McIlroy’s skin at the 16th hole. He stepped off his shot and told the crowd to “shut the [expletive] up.”
McIlroy’s teammate, fellow Irish golfer Shane Lowry, needed to be held back amid the crowd’s relentless attack on the Grand Slam winner. Things got so intense that New York State troopers were called in to form a barrier between McIlroy and the crowd.
Rory McIlroy Delivers A Classy Response After Fans Take Aim At His Marriage To Wife Erica Stoll
GettyErica Stoll McIlroy, wife of Rory McIlroy of Team Europe, at Black Course at Bethpage State Park Golf Course on September 26, 2025.
Golf Digest’s Joel Beall reported at least “30-something f-bombs had been hurled at McIlroy in the first four holes alone,” while “You suck” and “Pinehurst” shorts were too numerous to count.
“McIlroy stalked his approach into the par-5 fourth, the attacks turned invasive,” Beall wrote. ‘Have you patched things up with the Mrs.?’ one spectator inquired with mock concern.
“Somewhere between the sixth and 12th holes posed a question so sexually explicit and personally invasive—involving Lowry, his wife, and McIlroy’s sleeping arrangements during storms — that it appeared a volunteer pointed to security to throw the fan out.”
GettyRory McIlroy with daughter Poppy and wife Erica Stoll after winning the 2025 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 13, 2025.
McIlroy and Stoll filed for divorce in March 2024, however, the couple, who share a daughter named Poppy, 5, reconciled a few months later.
After finishing on Saturday, McIlroy was asked if he felt the fans crossed a line. “When you plan away Ryder Cup, it’s really, really challenging,” McIlroy told NBC. “You know, it’s not for me to say. People can be their own judge of whether they took it too far or not. You know, I’m just proud of us for being able to win today with what we had to go through.”
Rory McIlroy Continues To Play a Huge Role In Team Europe’s Success At The Ryder Cup
GettyRory McIlroy of Team Europe celebrates on the 18th green after he and teammate Shane Lowry defeated Justin Thomas and Cameron Young of Team United States 2UP on September 27, 2025.
Despite the hostile territory and reported cheers of “Leprechaun!” “Overrated!” and “Take out the Irish trash!” McIlroy’s performance is playing a huge role in helping his team win. He’s gone 3-0-1 during the first two days of the Ryder Cup. Team Europe leads the U.S. 10.5 to 3.5
Rory McIlroy Sends Message on Insults Hurled at Wife During Ryder Cup