Rory McIlroy Halts Ryder Cup Play Amid Intense US Crowd Abuse at Bethpage Black

Rory McIlroy faced intense heckling and abusive taunts from American fans during the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, which led to several confrontations and disruptions. On multiple occasions, McIlroy refused to take his shots until the crowd's jeering subsided, with police forced to intervene and remove some unruly spectators. Despite the hostile atmosphere, McIlroy and his teammates, including Shane Lowry, maintained strong performances, contributing to Team Europe's dominant lead and eventual victory. McIlroy publicly addressed the crowd's behavior, emphasizing respect during shots while acknowledging the expected rowdiness of an away Ryder Cup. The tension extended to personal insults directed at McIlroy's wife and led to visible frustration, including McIlroy shouting expletives at the crowd and making inappropriate gestures. The Ryder Cup captain and players called for calm, highlighting that the crowd's conduct had crossed the line but praising the European team's resilience under pressure.