Rory McIlroy, the renowned golfer, expressed his discontent regarding the recent Ryder Cup, particularly after a drink was thrown at his wife, Erica Stoll, during the event.
During a press conference on September 28, McIlroy, 36, responded to a reporter's inquiry about the influence of rowdy crowds on golf. This discussion followed footage shared by a Spanish TV network showing a drink being hurled at Stoll, 38, as they navigated through a throng of spectators. The incident occurred just a day earlier and was captured in a video that circulated widely.
“Golf should be held to a higher standard than what was witnessed this week,” McIlroy stated emphatically. “It teaches respect for others, and unfortunately, that was lacking at times. This behavior is unacceptable at the Ryder Cup.”
The video revealed Stoll's startled reaction as she turned to confront the crowd after being struck by the drink. McIlroy approached the audience but was restrained by an official who intervened.
Throughout the tournament held in Farmingdale, New York City, from September 25 to 28, McIlroy faced heckling from fans. At one point, he urged spectators to “Shut the f*** up” as they disrupted his pre-shot routine.
In his remarks, McIlroy emphasized the need for fans to support their players rather than engage in negative behavior. “If I were American, I would be frustrated hearing more jeers directed at me than cheers for Scottie [Scheffler],” he noted. “Support your team.”
Despite the tumultuous atmosphere, McIlroy managed to secure his sixth Ryder Cup victory as Europe triumphed over the U.S. on Sunday. He acknowledged that while it was a challenging week, their performance ultimately silenced the hecklers.
Reflecting on the pressure of the situation, McIlroy admitted that the crowd's behavior affected him at times. “It got to me a few times, but we aimed to handle everything with class and poise,” he remarked during the press conference.
Among those who contributed to the heckling was comedian Heather McMahan, who later apologized for her role in inciting fans against McIlroy while serving as the Ryder Cup’s master of ceremonies. A spokesperson for the PGA of America confirmed her apology and announced her resignation from hosting duties at the event.
