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Rory McIlroy had a rough back nine in more ways than one at the PGA Championship on Sunday afternoon.

Late in his ill-fated attempt at his third PGA championship victory, the Irishman had an encounter with an unknown fan on the 16th hole after his third shot from the rough ended up short of the green, eventually landing in a bunker at the Aronimink Golf Club in Newton Square, Pa.

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Seconds after his wayward wedge attempt found the sand, McIlroy turned to the crowd and softly mouthed the words, “shut the f— up,” proceeding to point his club in the general direction of the crowd that had gathered en masse behind him.

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Rory McIlroy trying to get a fan kicked out for yelling “USA” after one of his bad shots.

Get over yourself. pic.twitter.com/qHAWqqobwo

— Country Club Populist (@LIVGolfNation) May 17, 2026

Prior to the encounter with the unknown spectator, the television broadcast microphones picked up several undecipherable comments directed at the 37-year-old soon after his shot took flight.

The comment that appeared to irk McIlroy the most, at the very least drawing the NSFW remarks, was a fan yelling, “USA,” after the shot found the greenside bunker.

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The broadcast team made a note of the comment and moved on.

“McIlroy not happy with one of the fans here in Philadelphia,” the television announcer said.

At the time of the encounter, he was three shots behind the eventual winner Aaron Rai.

The No. 2 ranked golfer in the world went on to par the hole, ultimately finishing his final round with a 1-under par 69. McIlroy finished in a three-way tie for seventh, with a four-day total of 276.

Rai secured his first PGA championship by shooting a four-day total of 271. The Englishman now has a five-year exemption on the PGA Tour, and into the Masters, the U.S. Open and the British Open. He can play in the PGA Championship event for life.

The closest Canadian was Nick Taylor, who finished in a nine-way tie for 26th with a four-day total of 280.

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