Rory McIlroy hurls expletive at rowdy Ryder Cup crowd; Europe takes lead
Team USA captain Collin Morikawa said before the opening of the 2025 Ryder Cup that he hoped American golf fans would bring “absolute chaos” to Bethpage Black this weekend. Judging from European captain Rory McIlroy’s expletive-laden outburst Saturday morning, the fans delivered.
Team Europe is comfortably leading the Americans in Saturday play. McIlroy and company have an 8.5-to-3.5 lead heading into afternoon play.
Rowdy crowd
Practice rounds gave the European visitors a taste of what was to come during weekend play. Heckling from the crowd on Friday goaded McIlroy into a one-fingered hand gesture as he walked off of the 11th hole.
On Saturday, McIlroy stepped away from a shot in the rough on the 16th to yell “shut the f–k up” at the rowdy crowd who refused to quiet down for officials. He later said he didn’t mind the crowd jabs but expected the customary silence while he was lining up a shot.
“I mean, that’s what an away Ryder Cup is,” he said. “Whenever they are still doing it while you are over the ball and trying to hit your shot, that’s the tough thing.”
Parents pass on event
The expectation of a rambunctious crowd led one European player’s family to skip the event. British golfer Matt Fitzpatrick confirmed on Thursday that his parents wouldn’t make the trip across the pond due to the expectation of abusive fans.
“Obviously I’ll miss them this week for sure, but they are doing what’s best for them, and that’s what’s important,” he said.
Fitzpatrick said his parents saw similar behavior at the 2021 Ryder Cup in Wisconsin’s Whistling Straights course.
Trump shows up
President Donald Trump was among the estimated 50,000 fans to attend the biennial event. His presence required increased security measures that created long lines of fans waiting to enter the course. Airport-style security at the entrances as well as another at the first tee slowed the process to the point where many fans missed golfers teeing off Friday.
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Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
