State police and extra security were brought in to control abusive fans targeting Rory McIlroy as the Ryder Cup descended into chaos at Bethpage.
During the afternoon four-balls on Saturday, McIlroy also called in the referee and refused to play on until the barracking stopped.
Earlier, McIlroy had become embroiled in a bitter exchange with USA fans as Europe made history on the second day in New York. No previous team had ever won the first three sessions of an away Ryder Cup, but McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood and Jon Rahm inspired Europe to a five-point lead after only 12 matches. Europe led 8½ to 3½ going into last night’s four-balls, and whatever the outcome of those four matches, the away team were guaranteed to take a lead into Sunday’s singles.
A police officer with a bike follows McIlroy and Lowry against Justin Thomas and Cameron Young during the afternoon fourball matches at Bethpage
MIKE EGERTON/PA
However, the second day was marred by regular abuse from outside the ropes. At one point in his heavily policed four-balls match, McIlroy refused to play until the crowd noise stopped. It included remarks about players’ families. Shane Lowry also pointed out an abusive spectator and it is understood he was ejected. The organisers were also forced to flash up regular messages on giant screens reminding the fans to behave. “We have added security and State Police to Match No 1, as well as the other three matches in today’s afternoon four-balls,” said the PGA of America, which co-stages the biennial contest.
On the 16th hole McIlroy had been exasperated by the noise as he prepared to take a shot from the rough.
“Shut the f*** up,” he shouted as he stepped away before playing his approach to within 3ft. It was far from an isolated incident as Europe’s players attempt to win away for only the third time this century.
Bob MacIntyre also blew a kiss to the crowd after being targeted. McIlroy, though, has borne the brunt since the first tee on Friday when chants of “F*** you, Rory” were sung from the galleries.
The bad blood spilled over to the players, too. Justin Rose felt Bryson DeChambeau’s caddie, Greg Bodine, got too close to his line on the 15th green of their four-balls match. That carried on between holes, with Tommy Fleetwood irritated by DeChambeau and Fleetwood’s caddie, Ian Finnis, telling the American to calm down.
Rose and DeChambeau exchange words during their four-balls match
HARRY HOW/GETTY IMAGES
Rose, speaking after he and Fleetwood had completed their victory over DeChambeau and Scottie Scheffler, said: “It was a shame it got to that point as it was a great match. I was waiting to putt and the boys were working on their read and their calculations. I waited a few seconds and then they came up again.
“I said ‘it was my putt’ but maybe I could have said it more politely. By no means was there any disrespect meant. I said if you want me to say ‘excuse me please’ then my bad.
“I hope it is put to bed. It should be put to bed. There was no intent whatsoever. I admire Scottie more than anyone else on tour. It was something that was taken in a way that wasn’t intended.
“I am just trying to control my environment in that moment.”
After the morning session on Saturday, McIlroy addressed the issue of fan behaviour. “I don’t mind them having a go at us. 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.”
Luke Donald said the American fans had ventured far beyond the realms of good etiquette, but Europe’s ever-diplomatic captain avoided inflaming the tensions further.
“It was loud. It was raucous. What I consider crossing the line is personal insults and making sounds when they are trying to hit on their backswings or very close to when they are trying to go into their routines. That did happen a little bit. It’s happened at other Ryder Cups, too. It’s something we prepared for, and I can see, I think, how well they have dealt with it,” he said.
“Sometimes the crowd going at you can be a motivator for some of these players, and I think Rory and Shane certainly looked like they were sort of almost enjoying the difficult environment out there.
“Things got tougher, and it fired [the team] up even more. They were able to get better through those difficult moments out there. That is what makes me most proud as a captain, just their ability to take the punches and come back even stronger.”
One concern for Europe is an injury to Viktor Hovland. He tweaked his neck while securing a point with MacIntyre and was substituted by Tyrrell Hatton in the afternoon four-balls. Hovland is expected to be fine for the singles, but if he did pull out the Americans would have to bench a player.