The vile behavior exhibited Saturday by Ryder Cup fans at Bethpage Black apparently wasn’t limited to the players.
Reports circulating on X alleged “someone in the crowd threw a drink” at Rory McIlroy and his wife, Erica Stoll, following the afternoon’s four-ball competition, where the Northern Irishman and his partner, Shane Lowry, earned a point for Team Europe.
“In the video Rory appears to be wiping her hat off & asking if she’s okay, then moves further away from the USA fans,” the X account for Barstool Sports’ Fore Play podcast posted. “Another tough look for the fans today if true.”
A fan apparently shouted in a social media clip, “Somebody threw a drink at her!” according to The Sun, noting it’s unclear if Stoll came into contact with the beverage.
The home crowd zeroed in on McIlroy, 36, for much of the day Saturday, serenading him with an NSFW chant before he teed off on the first hole.
He then fired off an F-bomb at spectators, and apparently told a referee on the course that he was “not going to putt until they shut up.”
Extra security was added to McIlroy and Lowry’s match against Americans Cameron Young and Justin Thomas, and afterward, the reigning Masters champion found solace with Stoll.
“A wonderful moment behind 18 green after Rory, who was pelted with insults all day, shared a long tearful embrace with his wife Erika after he and Shane Lowry won their afternoon match,” Sportsnet’s Adam Stanley reported on X.
Stoll, who married McIlroy in 2017, shares 5-year-old daughter Poppy with the five-time major champion.
The couple’s romance made headlines in the spring of 2024 when McIlroy filed for divorce after nearly seven years of marriage. He reversed course last June.
“Over the past weeks, Erica and I have realised that our best future was as a family together,” McIlroy told The Guardian in a statement. “Thankfully, we have resolved our differences and look forward to a new beginning.”
McIlroy will face world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler on Sunday in singles play.
Europe enters the final day of the Ryder Cup with a commanding 11.5-4.5 lead.
