As we gear up for the 2025 Ryder Cup at the tough Bethpage Black, Rory McIlroy is getting ready for what he thinks will be an “inevitable” uproar from the famously lively New York crowds. Data shows that a whopping 96% of resold tickets have been bought by US fans, setting the stage for a highly charged atmosphere. This really ramps up the challenge for the European team, especially since they haven’t clinched a win on American soil since McIlroy was involved in the “Miracle at Medinah” back in 2012.

But a surprising twist developed beyond just tournament competition, the Northern Irishman has really shown how much he values his personal ties to the country he now considers home.

On X, Kyle Porter reported that when McIlroy was asked about his childhood views of America and how they’ve shifted after spending years there, his answer was enthusiastic and clear-cut. “Everyone wanted to make it in America. It’s the land of opportunity. And I still believe it’s the best country in the world, and if you come here and work hard and dedicate yourself, you can be or do whatever you want,” he said.

McIlroy undoubtedly appreciates the American work ethic, and it makes sense given his own background. He often talked about the huge sacrifices his parents, Gerry and Rosie, made to help him kickstart his early career. His father juggled a bunch of jobs, putting in those crazy 100-hour weeks as a cleaner and bartender, while his mother took on night shifts at a factory, all just to support his golf dreams.

The golfer also talked about how important his family life is to him, saying, “I live here. My wife is American. My daughter is American. I have a lot of affinity towards this country, and I think everyone that lives here should have that same affinity because it is, it’s a wonderful — it is a wonderful place.”

He met his wife, Erica Stoll, who hails from New York, back in 2012 when she was working for the PGA of America. The couple tied the knot in 2017, and their daughter, Poppy Kennedy McIlroy, was born in Jupiter, Florida, in 2020, which means she’s an American citizen right from birth. Even though the family relocated to a new place in the UK in 2023, they still have a property in Florida. McIlroy also spends a good chunk of the year in the US because of his PGA Tour commitments, making him more attached to his American home.

So in essence, McIlroy’s compliments about America seem aimed at closing that gap, directly tapping into the American spirit of patriotism and fair play to help ease the home-crowd advantage that his rivals got. So, when the American fans found out about this, they really took a liking to the Northern Irishman.

A lot of hearts were won by Rory McIlroy

Rory McIlroy’s statement right before teeing up at the Ryder Cup definitely caught the attention of many American fans. It seems like one fan really captured it all when they said, “Playing both sides. Smart man.” This fan really appreciates his words, saying, “It takes a lot to like a foreign land over your own. This should mean a lot to us.”

Other European players like Viktor Hovland have spoken about strategies for handling the American crowd. His mentality? “I think you’ve just got to stick to your game, and if you play well, you know, there’s going to be some comments here and there. They won’t really come close to the thoughts that I have in my own head. So I think I’ll just laugh it off for the most part,” said Hovland. However, this fan said, “He’s trying to kill us with kindness!”

So, the European team, with Rory McIlroy at the helm, is gearing up to take on Team USA and the notoriously passionate crowd in New York. The atmosphere is definitely charged, with players getting ready for what might be the most intense crowd we’ve seen at this event. Furthermore, the golfer himself  took a moment to recognize the crowd, saying, “It’s inevitable something is going to happen in New York.” 

However, it seems like McIlroy’s clever wordplay is really hitting home, as one fan expressed, “Damnit! Making it hard to root against him.” A YouGov profile report from 2023 revealed that 24% of American PGA Tour fans named McIlroy as their favorite golfer, just behind Tiger Woods, who had 29% support. And this support would have just grown even more with what has been said lately. Another fan noticed all the nice things the golfer said about the US, saying, “He’s a real one for that.”

McIlroy’s kind words about America have really helped ease the tension at the tough Bethpage course. By focusing on gratitude instead of playing games, he’s really made it tough for fans to see him as the bad guy.