In a dramatic conclusion to the 2023 Ryder Cup, held at the iconic Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, New York, Rory McIlroy played a pivotal role in helping Europe secure a hard-fought victory over the United States. However, following the win, McIlroy voiced strong criticism regarding the behavior of the New York crowd, describing their conduct as “unacceptable and abusive.”
Throughout his five matches, McIlroy faced a barrage of insults, with hecklers targeting everything from his personal life to past golfing missteps. As he prepared to swing and putt, the crowd often shouted derogatory remarks. Disturbingly, during the competition, his wife was struck by a thrown cup of beer. After the final match, McIlroy stated, “What happened here this week is not acceptable,” reflecting on his record of 3 wins, 1 loss, and 1 tie, which helped Europe clinch the Ryder Cup with a score of 15-13.
McIlroy's comments mark his most forthright critique of the New York crowd, which, while expected to be passionate, crossed a line into crudeness. Even European team captain Luke Donald had prepared his players for a rowdy atmosphere by providing virtual-reality goggles to acclimate them to the noise. McIlroy, motivated to achieve his second Ryder Cup victory on U.S. soil, sometimes retaliated against his hecklers, confronting them directly and even cursing in response to their taunts.
During the intense matches, McIlroy was not afraid to push back against the crowd. He famously told fans to “shut the (expletive) up” before sinking a pivotal putt in a morning foursomes match. When one fan shouted, “You’re not that good, Rory!” his retort was equally bold: “I’m (expletive) very good.” During a press conference after the match, McIlroy confidently reaffirmed, “I am really good.”
Reflecting on the week, McIlroy emphasized that golf should uphold higher standards of decorum and respect. “I don’t think we should ever accept that in golf,” he asserted, surrounded by his European teammates. He articulated the deeper values of golf, stating, “Golf has the ability to unite people. It teaches you etiquette and how to respect others.” Unfortunately, he noted, “Sometimes this week we didn’t see that.”
While criticizing the minority of rowdy fans, McIlroy also acknowledged the presence of “true golf fans” who respected both teams and allowed for fair competition. As Europe took an early lead in the tournament, McIlroy became the target of a small but vocal group of American supporters, who reminded him of past golfing blunders and insulted him for his Irish heritage.
Shane Lowry, a close friend and teammate, stood by McIlroy, describing the shockingly hostile environment that his wife faced while supporting the team. Lowry took on a protective role during their match, confronting hecklers and defending McIlroy amidst the chaos. As the competition progressed, the U.S. team attempted a comeback; however, the European squad maintained their lead.
Ultimately, McIlroy's experience at the Ryder Cup serves as a reminder of the dual nature of sportsmanship and competition. With his victory, McIlroy improved his Ryder Cup record to 19 wins, 14 losses, and 5 ties. Looking forward, he noted that the next Ryder Cup will be hosted at Adare Manor in Ireland in 2027, promising to remind fans of the importance of respectful support: “What happened here this week is not acceptable.”
As McIlroy concluded, he urged fans to support their players rather than detract from the experience, stating, “I think if I was an American, I would be annoyed that people — I didn’t hear a lot of shouts for Scottie today, but I heard a lot of shouts against me.”
