Things haven’t gotten totally out of hand, at least not yet, but the Ryder Cup is getting increasingly tense as Team USA fans have let the Europeans here it.
The scene got especially dicey in the Saturday afternoon four-ball match between Europe’s Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry against Team USA’s Justin Thomas and Cameron Young. At one point midway through the match, additional police were needed to line the fairways to help quiet the rowdy crowd heckling the Europeans.
Rowdy Crowds Cause Scene at Bethpage Black During Ryder Cup
In addition to an increase police presence, Ryder Cup officials also arranged warnings to be displayed on video boards throughout the course.
The loud, borderline abusive fans were largely expected, especially at Bethpage Black. Quite frankly, just about everyone involved leaned into the idea of the rowdy New York sports fan taking over the event.
Rory McIlroy at Center of Ryder Cup Crowd Controversy
That it reached a fever pitch midway through Day 2 after a full day of drinking and with Team USA’s chances dwindling in front of the crowd, is not surprising. Nor is the fact that McIlroy is in the middle of it all. He has embraced the hatred since before the event even began, and he has been the main target of the crowd all weekend.
That much was evident early on Day 2 when McIlroy took issue with fans yelling as he lined up to hit a shot. McIlroy backed off and barked “shut the (expletive) up” at the crowd before firing a wedge to 3 feet. His foursomes partner, Tommy Fleetwood, made the putt to win the match for the Europeans.
After the morning round, McIlroy explained what irked him about the fans.
“I don’t mind them having a go at us,” he told reporters in a post-round press conference. “Like that’s to be expected. I mean, that’s what an away Ryder Cup is. Whenever they are still doing it while you are over the ball and trying to hit your shot, that’s the tough thing.
“You know, look, in between shots, say whatever you want to me. That’s totally fine. But just let us — you gave us the respect to let us hit shots, and give us the same chance that the Americans have, I guess.”
That would also explain some of McIlroy’s annoyances during the afternoon match, too. At one point, he appeared to flat refuse to putt until the crowd settled down.
Ultimately, McIlroy, Lowry and the rest of Team Europe might get the last laugh. The Euros, who led by three points entering Day 2, built on that lead in the morning session, thanks in part to McIlroy and Fleetwood. McIlroy also seemed to feed off the energy of the crowd, as did Lowry, and both were more than happy to give it back after big shots.
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