Rory McIlroy emphasized the importance of respecting family members and condemned the verbal abuse directed at his wife Erica following the Ryder Cup. The golf champion expressed his intention to address Irish fans at Adare Manor in 2027 to make it clear that such behavior is unacceptable.
During a contentious Saturday afternoon at Bethpage Black, American Stoll, McIlroy’s wife, faced repeated heckling and even had a plastic beer glass thrown at her while supporting her husband. McIlroy, frustrated by the situation, humorously suggested releasing police dogs to handle the unruly behavior.
As the highest-ranked European player, McIlroy faced constant taunting from American fans throughout the tournament. Despite the challenges, he managed to secure 3.5 points for Europe before experiencing fatigue in his singles match against Scottie Scheffler.
McIlroy, accompanied by his father Gerry, expressed dismay at the inappropriate abuse directed at his family, particularly Erica. He praised Erica for her grace and strength in handling the situation and affirmed their plans to celebrate together.
In a gesture of solidarity, McIlroy’s playing partner Shane Lowry commended Erica for her unwavering support amidst the adversity. Lowry took action to have a disruptive fan removed from the event on Saturday afternoon.
While experiencing moments of frustration, McIlroy’s skill and determination ultimately prevailed, leading to a satisfying victory. However, he emphasized the need for golf to uphold high standards of sportsmanship and respect, denouncing the unacceptable behavior witnessed during the tournament.
Looking ahead to future events, McIlroy vowed to address and discourage similar misconduct at the 2027 Ryder Cup in Ireland. Despite the challenges faced during the tournament, McIlroy highlighted the team’s resilience and ability to respond with dignity and class.
When asked about the possibility of playing another Ryder Cup in New York, McIlroy humorously expressed his enthusiasm, stating he would gladly return if the outcome mirrored the success of the recent event.