Bethpage Black’s hostile atmosphere reached its peak after Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry suffered non-stop heckling on Friday. Aggressive American fans targeted the Europeans during their Ryder Cup foursomes match, and extra security stepped in to restore order.
McIlroy, Lowry Targeted As Bethpage Abuse Rise
The abuse was relentless from the opening holes. McIlroy was targeted with shouts of “F*** you, Rory” and “Choker” while preparing to hit. Fans mocked him about his collapse at Pinehurst earlier this year, yelling, “Remember Pinehurst!” as he stood over key putts. Others went further, hurling personal insults such as “Leprechaun,” “Overrated,” and even, “Take out the Irish trash.” Some fans raised middle fingers as he walked past, while others shouted crude remarks about his physique.
Lowry was also a target, as fans mocked his weight and shouted at him while he walked between holes. After sinking a long eagle putt at one point, the 38-year-old responded by pointing toward a section of fans and appeared to yell back in anger. His caddie later had to calm him down after another exchange near the ropes.
The heckling reached its worst moments on the greens. McIlroy backed away from a putt at the fourth hole after a fan yelled loudly as he addressed the ball. Sections of the crowd erupted in jeers when he missed the attempt. The incident left McIlroy furious, and he complained to security, making clear he felt officials were failing to protect players. Spectators later saw him snap at security staff again, demanding stronger control of the situation.
Heckling Beyond What Players Can Tolerate
Fans have always known Bethpage Black as a tough, rowdy venue, but this Ryder Cup is testing the limits of what players can tolerate. State police stepped in to provide extra support for marshals. Security presence around McIlroy and Lowry increased as the round went on, with officials ordered to remove any fans who continued to shout during shots.
“What is being yelled at Rory and Shane right now is some of the worst behavior I’ve ever seen,” a golf writer said regarding the incidents.
Lowry provided one of the highlights of the day with his eagle putt, which briefly silenced the hecklers and gave Europe a boost. McIlroy, though, looked drained at times, his shoulders hunched as the crowd’s hostility followed him from hole to hole. However, the atmosphere did not improve on the back nine. At one tee, a man yelled, “You’re taking too damn long,” as McIlroy prepared to hit a drive, forcing him to reset. At another, a fan shouted, “Don’t let your boyfriend down,” followed by slurs.
The constant barrage created an environment more hostile than competitive, and it was clear the abuse was beginning to affect both players’ focus.