There were warnings and nerves and worries from everyone — former golfers, current golfers, even from fans themselves — about what could happen when the Ryder Cup, New York City and the most polarizing golfers all mixed together at Bethpage.

And everything finally boiled over Saturday during the second day of the event, when Rory McIlroy shouted an F-bomb in the direction of fans and spectators ruthlessly hurled heckles that crossed the line back at McIlroy and Shane Lowry, his afternoon partner. It led to increased security for McIlroy’s group — with more than a dozen New York State troopers tasked with forming a barrier between McIlroy and fans by the time it reached the final holes — and signs appearing on large screens scattered throughout the middle of the course to remind spectators of a “zero tolerance policy.”

Those were promptly booed by fans.

And when the fan conduct around the course paired with 9 1/2 points for the Europeans and just 3 1/2 for the Americans, Saturday turned into an embarrassment for the Ryder Cup’s Long Island debut.

Rory McIlroy was not happy with some Ryder Cup fans on Saturday. Choppingitgolf/X

It felt as if this had been brewing for the last 48 hours. As he walked off the 11th hole Friday, McIlroy flipped off fans.

As a host with a microphone tried to hype up fans at the first tee before the morning foursomes Saturday, even she started a, “F–k you, Rory,” chant that kept echoing throughout the main grandstand. As his name was booed during introductions, McIlroy spread his arms out and blew a kiss to the crowd, filled with fans who were thrilled when he hooked his tee shot left.

Rory McIlroy of Team Europe celebrates after winning his morning Four-Ball match during the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black Golf Course in Farmingdale, N.Y. on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025. Heather Khalifa for the NY Post

Then, on the 16th hole of foursomes, McIlroy told Team USA fans to “shut the f–k up,” and he proceeded to silence them anyway. McIlroy paused just before attempting the second shot on the 16th hole, turned toward fans nearby and dropped a loud F-bomb. When he eventually hit the shot, McIlroy sent it to within three feet of the hole — setting up Tommy Fleetwood for the winning putt in their 3&2 foursomes victory.

But everything reached a breaking point on the front-nine of the afternoon session. As American fans heckled him while lining up a putt on the sixth hole, McIlroy, while still squatting, said that he’s “not going to putt until they shut up.” Lowry reportedly had a spectator kicked out, too. According to reports from those with the group at the time of the confrontation, the jabs revolved around their wives, their kids and Lowry’s weight. On multiple occasions, Team USA’s Justin Thomas held up his hands to silence fans before McIlroy attempted a shot.

At other different points on the back-nine, fans continued to taunt him with “f–k you Rory” or drawn-out “Rorrrrry” taunts. When he reached the 15th tee, he simply pointed up at the scoreboard.

Europe’s Rory McIlroy celebrates after a putt on the 14th hole at Bethpage Black golf course during the Ryder Cup golf tournament, Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, in Farmingdale, N.Y. AP

While McIlroy previously expressed a desire to balance his Ryder Cup antics with fans, he hasn’t done anything to hide from those exchanges to start the weekend.

“I don’t mind them having a go at us,” McIlroy said following the morning session. “Like that’s to be expected. I mean, that’s what an away Ryder Cup is. Whenever they are still doing it while you are over the ball and trying to hit your shot, that’s the tough thing.”

Earlier this week, before any of the European dominance at Bethpage began, McIlroy said he “probably engaged too much at times” with American fans at Hazeltine in 2016. Five years later, at Whistling Straits, he didn’t engage enough and felt flat as a result. Through two days at Bethpage, at least, McIlroy hasn’t hesitated to engage when needed. Hasn’t hesitated to let out a roar. A yell. A middle finger. Even an F-bomb. 

Team Europe golfer Rory McIlroy reacts to a shot on the 17th hole on the penultimate day of competition for the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black. Peter Casey-Imagn Images

And this time, it seemed to be only fueling him — with his dagger of a shot on the 16th just the latest example in the morning. Then, fans crossed the line.

“You know, look, in between shots, say whatever you want to me,” McIlroy said following the morning session. “That’s totally fine. But just let us — you gave us the respect to let us hit shots, and give us the same chance that the Americans have, I guess.”