Insults, police and McIlroy’s wrath: How the Ryder Cup boiled over at Bethpage Black
You know the golf’s probably got a little out of hand when the police are called. Men with big hats and small guns emerged through the trees to the fourth green like they were quashing an insurgency. Suffolk County Police, NYPD and Secret Service officers descended on match two – Shane Lowry and Rory McIlroy against Justin Thomas and Cameron Young – as this simmering Ryder Cup finally boiled over.
No country in the world does obnoxious golf fans quite like America, and no country in the world does sincerely troubling security presence like America either.
It was a heady mix which turned the match into a travelling bear pit, with every passage to the next tee like a tunnel of rage directed at the Europeans, who had to be chaperoned through the chaos.
Read Lawrence Ostlere’s wrap of a crazy day in New York
Lawrence Ostlere in New York28 September 2025 00:30
Rory McIlroy reacts to abusive American crowd after ‘really challenging day’ at Ryder Cup
Rory McIlroy admits he endured a “really challenging day” after American golf fans directed abuse to spark ugly scenes at the Ryder Cup.
McIlroy was disrupted by expletives from USA supporters throughout his fourballs match alongside Shane Lowry against Justin Thomas and Cameron Young.
And insults shouted during McIlroy’s backswing and while he was preparing to putt on the greens prompted Lowry to fire back towards the crowd.
While police also intervened in a bid to calm the crowd down, before the Irish duo rallied on the 18th to secure a two up victory, sparking an emotional embrace between the pair.
Luke Baker28 September 2025 00:15
Justin Rose in furious row with Bryson DeChambeau and caddie as sparks fly at Ryder Cup
In a gripping fourballs match between Rose and Tommy Fleetwood and DeChambeau and Scottie Scheffler, with the European duo winning 3&2, emotions spilled over on the 15th green and then again on the walk to the 16th tee.
Rose was upset at Bodine when he perceived the caddie to enter his area while preparing to putt and his line. The European stalwart eventually holed his birdie putt, though the American replied to extend the contest. But on the subsequent walk to the 16th hole, Fleetwood, Rose, their caddies and DeChambeau were all involved in a heated argumet.
“The level of golf was incredible,” Rose said when explaining what happened. “I was ready to hit my putt and I didn’t think that space was honoured. I asked them to move, maybe not so politely, but it was intense.
Jack Rathborn28 September 2025 00:04
Europe on the brink of victory
What a Saturday for Team Europe. They are on the brink of not just winning an away Ryder Cup but embarrassing the United States.
They lead 11½ – 4½ and need just 2½ points to retain or three to win outright. Remember there are 12 points up for grabs on Sunday. The Americans are finished. Surely…
(Getty Images)
Luke Baker27 September 2025 23:52
Hatton/Fitzpatrick BEAT Burns/Cantlay 1UP
AND ANOTHER POINT FOR EUROPE! Cantlay can’t do anything form the fringe and Burns rolls his putt down the hill but it doesn’t break at all. Euro putts conceded and Hatton/Fitzpatrick have won 1UP!
The chants of ‘Ole, Ole, Ole’ are reverberating around Bethpage. The score heading into Sunday will be 11.5-4.5 to Europe! Incredible. Let’s face it, it’s over.
(Getty Images)
Luke Baker27 September 2025 23:30
Fitzpatrick and Hatton playing billiards
Billiards on the 18th from the Europeans in the final match. From the bunker on 18, Fitzpatrick digs out a shot not dissimilar to the famous one in his 2023 US Open triumph. Spins it and it rolls back to within a couple of feet of the hole.
Hatton follows, lands past the hole and spins back where his ball rolls into Fitzpatrick’s ball! They’re playing billiards. Two glorious birdies chances, almost kick-in.
Burns is well past the hole with a stinker of a putt down the hill, while Cantlay spins his ball off the front of the green, pressing up against the thick stuff. That will be impossible almost
(Getty Images)
Luke Baker27 September 2025 23:27
Spaun/Schauffele BEAT Rahm/Straka 1UP
On the 18th green in match three and USA are on the brink of victory. Rahm can’t splash out of the bunker for a birder and Straka’s attempt from off the green is miles away.
Poor birdie putt form Schauffele who hasn’t played well today and Rahm does get in for par meaning it comes down to Spaun. No more than four feet, for a birdie and a full point.
HE GETS IT! ‘U-S-A, U-S-A’ chants around the green, followed by ‘JJ Spaun, JJ Spaun’. He played really well over the final few holes and gets an American point on the board to narrow the deficit to 10.5-4.5. Jon Rahm finally beaten. The final match becomes vital now.
(IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters)
Luke Baker27 September 2025 23:24
McIlroy reflects on abuse received
Rory McIlroy spoke to BBC Radio 5 Live about his lively match and the noise from the crowd.
“It was mostly good for us. We are just so happy to get a blue point on the board. It’s our first full point as a partnership, we weren’t able to get a full one at Whistling Straits, we had a half yesterday, and then a full one today.
“So I’m really happy that I’m able to walk inside the ropes with this man and he was there for me today. All of the credit for this win goes to Shane. It was a really challenging day. I am going to sleep well tonight.”
(Getty Images)
Luke Baker27 September 2025 23:18
Europe fans goad Americans after late surge in Ryder Cup fourballs
Europe fans are delirious, and the songs, a little more creative than “U-S-A, U-S-A”.
“You’re getting sacked in the morning,” is one, directed at Keegan Bradley.
And Americans are flocking out of Bethpage Black, with Europe fans gleefully crying: “Is there a fire drill?”
Fans of Team Europe react while at the 16th hole (Getty Images)
Jack Rathborn27 September 2025 23:16
Wedge-off at 18 puts Spaun and Schauffele in charge
Tee shots all boomed down 18 in the final match so we come to the wedge-off.
Straka first up from 98 yards in the fairway, lands short of the hole and spins back off the green into the fringe. Now Spaun, 97 yards. Puts it beyond the hole, spins back and ends up about four feet from the hole. Great shot! Easy birdie you’d think.
Takes the pressure off Schauffele who skips his wedge to the right of the hole. It’s an decent look. Pressure on Rahm… Just 77 yards from the rough, he sticks it high and that’s sand! In the bunker.
This is a golden chance for the US to take a full point and finally beat Jon Rahm.
Luke Baker27 September 2025 23:14
