The Ryder Cup hit boiling point on the second afternoon of the three-day event in New York as the US crowd embarrassed themselves with a barrage of personal, homophobic, sexist and xenophobic attacks against Rory McIlroy and other members of the European team.
After the hyper nationalism of US President Donald Trump’s presence on the first tee on the opening day, spectators Bethpage Black went into over drive on Saturday afternoon.
The Europeans let their golf do the talking as they extended their lead to seven points, only needing two and a half more points in the Sunday singles to retain the Cup they won in Rome two years ago.
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But the reputation of an event that has grown in stature in recent years was diminished by the actions of disgraceful spectator behaviour.
McIlroy and his good friend, and afternoon playing partner Shane Lowry, were the main victims of the tirade of abuse from the galleries and grandstands.
They were relentless sworn at, jeered during their backswings or as they putted, but the abuse was far worse than disregarding golf etiquette.
Golf Digest’ senior writer Joel Beall walked the course during McIlroy and Lowry’s fourball match against Justin Thomas and Cameron Young, which the Irishmen won 2 up for the record, and was sickened by what he heard from patrons.
Derogatory comments about McIlroy’s wife and family were made as well as “a woman who wasn’t McIlroy’s wife”.
Lowry was the constant target of remarks about his weight.
There is a road underpass players must walk through to get from the first green to the second tee, and Beall shared what he witnessed as McIlroy made that walk.
“A gauntlet of fans awaited him, middle fingers extended, hurling emasculating comments about his stature and challenging his manhood with crude gestures. The few European fans present shouted desperate encouragement—:Ignore the noise! We’ve got your back!”—but their voices were swallowed by hostility. McIlroy kept his eyes fixed on the ground, shoulders hunched,” Beall wrote.
“On the second tee McIlroy exchanged brief words with caddie Harry Diamond before selecting his club. One practice swing was all it took. “Rory, don’t let your boyfriend down!” came the shout from the left side of the tee box, followed by three more homophobic slurs that cannot be printed. A nearby state trooper tilted his head, scanning for the source, but remained frozen in place, unwilling or unable to act. McIlroy’s tee shot launched as fans screamed for it to sail out of bounds.”
While the European fans sing endearing songs about the players, and make witty banter towards the opposition, the home spectators resorted to all out abuse.
McIlroy called for a referee at one point to see if there was anything that could be done about calls of “f*** you Rory!” during his putting stroke.
State troopers had to be called in to create a barrier between the players and spectators.
It was ugly.
“These scenes shouldn’t have surprised anyone,” Beall also wrote.
“New York golf tournaments have long been breeding grounds for fan disturbances, and Bethpage carries its own notorious reputation.
“The European team had arrived prepared, boasting about VR headset training sessions designed to simulate crowd hostility. They claimed to be ready for the worst. But no simulation could replicate the toxic alchemy at work here: alcohol mixed with entitlement, rudeness fused with xenophobia.
“As the group made the turn to the back nine, the match was deadlocked at all square. But if the front nine was any indication of what lay ahead, what was transpiring at Bethpage was no longer golf.”
McIlroy lost his cool at times, including when he shouted “shut the f*** up” at spectators during his morning foursomes match with Tommy Fleetwood, which he also won.
The day prior, he flipped US fans the middle finger as he let out his frustrations.
McIlroy flips the bird at the Ryder Cup! | 00:26
He also let out some mighty celebrations on the back nine, and pointed to the scoreboard as a reminder to the heckling patrons.
But The Masters champion largely remained calm, and tried to stay diplomatic after his round.
“You know, when you play an away Ryder Cup it’s really, really challenging,” McIlroy said.
“It’s not for me to say, people can be their own judge of whether they took it too far or not.
“I’m just proud of us for being able to win today with what we had to go through.”
Below are some reactions from reporters who were on the ground at Bethpage Black for an infamous Saturday afternoon in Ryder Cup history.
