Rory McIlroy was forced to stop mid-play during the Ryder Cup after the intensity of the American crowd crossed a line, with fans reportedly ejected from Bethpage Black amid the escalating tension.
McIlroy, paired with Shane Lowry in the Saturday afternoon fourballs, had been enjoying a strong performance. Lowry delivered two crucial putts, giving Europe a two-up advantage over Justin Thomas and Cameron Young.
But the match quickly became tense, with emotions spilling over both on the course and among the spectators.
The Irishman briefly lost his temper on the third hole after facing relentless heckling, shouting an expletive in response to the raucous crowd.
Rory McIlroy refused to play after jeering and abuse from fans at the Ryder Cup
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The tension escalated on the sixth green, where McIlroy was preparing a long birdie putt from around 34 feet.
The constant booing, jeering, and shouted comments from the New York spectators proved overwhelming, and McIlroy stepped away from the ball twice, making it clear he would not take the shot until the situation calmed.
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The pause lasted around four minutes before McIlroy finally returned to secure a par. Lowry then calmly sank a birdie putt under pressure to halve the hole, keeping Europe ahead. Even Thomas, one of the American players, shook his head in frustration, trying to calm the home fans.
Television cameras later showed a fan being escorted off the course in a buggy, and it was reported that another spectator had been removed earlier at Lowry’s request.
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Rory McIlroy was less then impressed with the fans at the Ryder Cup
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Following the incidents, state police officers lined the fairways to help control the crowds and prevent further disruptions.
The incident was not isolated. Earlier in the day during the foursomes, McIlroy had confronted noisy supporters while paired with Tommy Fleetwood. On the 16th hole, he told a disruptive fan to “shut up” after their interference affected his swing.
Despite the tension, McIlroy delivered an impressive approach shot to set up Fleetwood for the finishing putt, securing another point for Europe.
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Reflecting on the challenges posed by the passionate New York crowd, McIlroy acknowledged the difficulty of maintaining focus. “You have to stay focused on the task at hand,” he said. “In the team format, playing alongside your partner in foursomes and fourballs really helps you stick together and manage the pressure.”
Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry have been subject to a lot of disruption during the Ryder Cup
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McIlroy and Lowry’s performances show the resilience required to succeed under intense scrutiny, highlighting why the Ryder Cup remains one of the most electrifying events in golf.