Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry were heckled and yelled at repeatedly, in particular during their pre-shot routines or before they hit a putt, during Saturday afternoon play at the Ryder Cup.
— From the moment Bethpage Black was announced as this year’s Ryder Cup host in 2013, there was an expectation the competition could be one of the loudest — and potentially rowdiest — in recent memory.
But what transpired Saturday in the afternoon four-ball match that featured Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry turned into something beyond the expected.
Over the course of 18 holes, the European stars were heckled and yelled at repeatedly, in particular during their pre-shot routines or before they hit a putt. As the match against Justin Thomas and Cameron Young progressed — and Europe’s lead on the United States strengthened around them — the intensity from the crowd escalated, leading to increased security and multiple fan ejections.
On the fourth green, McIlroy had to back off his ball multiple times as fans yelled at him.
„We knew what we were going to get coming here. It was a very tough day“, Lowry said. „Being out with Rory doesn’t make it any easier. I think he’s getting the brunt of it.“
Earlier Saturday in foursomes, McIlroy was yelled at as he lined up to hit a shot and responded, „Shut the f- up!“ which was caught on the TV broadcast.
„I don’t mind them having a go at us. Like, that’s to be expected. I mean, that’s what an away Ryder Cup is“, McIlroy said after his morning match. „Whenever they are still doing it while you are over the ball and trying to hit your shot, that’s the tough thing.“
Tensions continued to rise as fans zeroed in on McIlroy. Those ranged from „F— you, Rory“, to specific comments about McIlroy’s previous major losses at Pinehurst, to how his Masters win this year was „a fluke“, to his personal life and even his marriage.
