Action at the Ryder Cup on Saturday was overshadowed by several shocking moments, including a fight that broke out in the 18th hole grandstand and a spat involving Tommy Fleetwood
Andrew Gamble and Harry Brent Senior Sports Writer
09:18, 28 Sep 2025
Tommy Fleetwood was at the centre of a spat that encapsulated a fiery afternoon at the Ryder Cup(Image: Getty Images)
An ugly fight broke out in the stands next to the 18th green at Bethpage Black, where fans turned on each other as tempers flared during the Ryder Cup. The incident followed several heated exchanges involving players, including Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood.
Saturday’s matches carried high drama. McIlroy was booed relentlessly, and while the Northern Irishman hit back, the PGA of America issued stern warnings. Due to escalating friction between McIlroy and the gallery, state police arrived at Bethpage Black in an attempt to control the behaviour.
An entire line of state troopers was positioned along the ropes surrounding the match featuring McIlroy and Shane Lowry against Cameron Young and Justin Thomas, with police dogs also visible. Lowry even required restraining to prevent him from confronting a spectator.
Fan-on-fan violence – which remains a constant threat at sporting events where excitement and alcohol are flowing – had largely been prevented. Yet late in the afternoon session, as the fourballs drew to a close, a punch-up reportedly erupted in the grandstand at the 18th.
It remains uncertain what sparked the altercation or who was involved apart from spectators. However, it was characterised as “ugly” during an afternoon when fury threatened to overflow onto the course, reports the Mirror US.
Rory McIlroy battled through exceptional hostility to win with Shane Lowry in the afternoon Fourballs(Image: Getty Images)
Fired up by the abuse McIlroy was enduring, which prompted an official complaint, Lowry required holding back by his caddie. European players have faced relentless hostility from the crowd throughout the tournament, with McIlroy subjected to chants of “F*** you, Rory” and constant jeering at virtually every stroke.
Earlier during the fourballs, Lowry lost his cool and shouted a two-word expletive at a spectator following his successful putt. This incident followed McIlroy’s own confrontation with a fan during the morning foursomes when he was paired with Fleetwood.
Elsewhere, Bryson DeChambeau and Scottie Scheffler’s caddie, Ted Scott, had a heated exchange with Fleetwood and Francesco Molinari.
Justin Rose asked DeChambeau’s caddie, Gregory Bodine, to move aside while he was reading his putt. After sinking his putt and celebrating with a fist pump, DeChambeau retaliated by scoring a birdie of his own.
American fans quickly deserted the grandstand after play concluded as Team Europe extended their stunning Ryder Cup lead on Saturday(Image: Getty Images)
As the group began to leave the green towards the 16th tee box, DeChambeau quickly caught up with his opponents and gave Fleetwood a piece of his mind following his team-mate’s gesture. Scott then joined DeChambeau and spoke sternly to Rose until Molinari intervened.
Scott continued to scold Molinari, getting in the Italian’s face before Fleetwood and his caddie, Ian Finnis, separated the pair. Additionally, after a tee shot at the 11th hole, Lowry singled out a spectator who had made derogatory comments.
The Irish golfer then moved towards the crowd, seemingly ready to confront them directly – but his caddie held him back, and security stepped in before things could escalate.
Despite the ugliness, Europe not only preserved but widened the commanding lead they began the day with, closing the afternoon session at 11.5 points to the USA’s 4.5. That cushion leaves skipper Luke Donald, McIlroy, Fleetwood and Co as heavy favourites to retain the Ryder Cup for the first time in more than a decade.
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