Rory McIlroy was subjected to vile abuse by the US fans at the Ryder Cup, but Roy Keane has no sympathy for the European star and believes the fuss is ‘ridiculous’
Roy Keane and Rory McIlroy
Roy Keane has shown little sympathy for Rory McIlroy after the Holywood man endured vile heckling from the US crowd at last month’s Ryder Cup.
McIlroy faced abuse directed at both himself and his wife Erica throughout the weekend, with the major champion compelled to request security remove disruptive spectators from the course on multiple occasions.
Erica was even struck by a cup of beer on the Saturday at Bethpage Black as Europe celebrated their foursome triumph that put them on the verge of victory.
Speaking following the tournament, McIlroy, who responded to fans and swore at the crowd during the event, demanded golf be held to a higher standard and condemned the spectators’ conduct.
The disrespect displayed by the fans in New York has dominated golf discussions over the past three weeks, with two of the US PGA’s senior officials issuing apologies for the home supporters’ behaviour, reports the Irish Mirror.
When the subject arose on the Stick To Football podcast this week, former Manchester United midfielder Keane struggled to comprehend what all the commotion was about, and reckons that if McIlroy and other golfers want to witness genuine fan hostility, they should simply observe football stars and what they must endure.
“So, you tell me. I’m no expert in golf – I don’t play but I watch the sport,” began Keane.
“You’re saying the pressure on these players because some people were shouting? Become a footballer and go to Leeds or Anfield on a Tuesday night, let me tell you.
“These guys play in big tournaments every week. All of a sudden, they’re going to be upset by a few Yanks?”
“You’ve got McIlroy, McIlroy’s won all the big prizes. Do you think he’s going to be upset by a few people? It’s ridiculous!”
And regarding the abuse, Keane said it shouldn’t have been a factor as the players were prepared for it.
He continued: “Of course they [knew abuse was coming]. They’ve built it up for the last six months, ‘Wait til you come to America.’ Of course they knew they were going to get abused!”
“Let me tell you what you say to your partner. If I was a golfer and my partner was getting abuse, I’d tell them: ‘Just stay at the hotel, love. I’ll see you tonight when I get back. Because you don’t come to all the other tournaments. But, you’ve got a new outfit and you come to the Ryder Cup?”
McIlroy previously appeared on Stick to Football alongside Keane and recounted how the former United skipper once refused his request for an autograph as a youngster.
With that evidently still on his mind, Keane couldn’t help but take one final dig at the European star.
“He shouldn’t be swearing either, should he?” Keane quipped.
“I didn’t see him signing autographs after, by the way! All those little kids waiting for him!”
