The viewers of the Ryder Cup were promised a raucous, rowdy, New York-style experience. Seeing how Friday turned out at Bethpage Black, it’s safe to say viewers were not let down. A rather silent morning soon picked up steam. The commentaries and, sadly, the heckling reached a peak by afternoon as Team Europe took a 5.5-2.5 lead on the opening day. In fact, by the time Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry tied with Sam Burns and Patrick Cantlay in Match 4, things took a more dramatic turn, forcing the Irishman to let his birdies fly, both on the green and outside.

During the final match of Friday Fourballs, McIlroy made birdies on holes six and seven to boost his team. Then, the pair won the par-4 11th to re-establish their two-up lead. But just as the two were walking off the green, the Northern Irishman heard something. While we don’t know what was said, it provoked him enough to give a birdie to the largely US crowd. At one point, even Lowry was seen flipping off rowdy spectators. Expectedly, the video went viral with GOLF.COM’s Sean Zak sharing it on his X with the caption, “Interesting stuff here!”

He further commented, “I’m sure whatever was said to him was far worse than this gesture … but the Ryder Cup is starting to pop off.” But was it him giving the censorable salute? Judge for yourself:

Interestingly, this wasn’t the only time on Friday that McIlroy had to swallow some choice words from the crowd. When the teams were being introduced before the matches even began, a few people from the stands called out the 36-year-old with, “F— you Rory!” Then, he had simply laughed off, knowing the testy Ryder Cup atmosphere, and it being hosted in New York would only add extra spice. Past experiences also helped.

Notably, during the 2016 Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National Golf Club, the Northern Irish star was subjected to lewd comments all day. The controversy, though, reached a fever pitch after McIlroy made a birdie on the seventh hole and was walking toward his eighth tee. With the spot being some 300 yards away, the golfer was walking through the crowd when one fan leaned in and screamed an obscenity.

McIlroy immediately stopped and called security. “He said some derogatory things that went over the line. I tried to get him removed,” the golfer later informed. “It fueled me a lot. The more they shouted, the better we played. I hope they shout at us all day tomorrow.”

As for this time, although McIlroy engaged in a disqualifiable gesture if this were a PGA Tour event, he was already certain how he would carry himself. In a press conference on Thursday, he confessed, “So it’s really just trying to find the balance of using that energy from the crowd to fuel your performance…I felt like at Hazeltine [in 2016, when the US won 17-11], I probably engaged too much at times, and then at Whistling Straits [in 2021, when the US won 19-9], I didn’t engage enough and felt pretty flat because of it. It’s just trying to find that balance.”

However, with his move on the green, everyone’s already judging his actions.

Top Stories

Retired PGA Tour Golfer Admits Money Problems Are Pushing Pros to the Breaking Point

Wyndham Clark Takes Accountability for U.S. Open Backlash He Faced After Locker Room Outburst: ‘Deserved’

Caitlin Clark Becomes the Answer to LPGA’s Biggest Concern Ahead of Her Pro-Am Appearance

Collin Morikawa Disapproves of Golf Practice That Justin Thomas Wants All Pros to Adopt Immediately

Tiger Woods Teaches Kai Trump an Important Lesson Ahead of Her LPGA Tour Debut

Fans give their verdict after McIlroy’s move

One fan suggested, “Suspend him from the next 3 Ryder Cups!” According to the Code of Behavior, players who engage in physical or verbal abuse may be disqualified or banned from the tournament. But this rule falls under the PGA Tour, not the Ryder Cup. In all honesty, though, the comment might be from a Team USA supporter who simply wants another threat out of the picture.

Another added, “Little man syndrome.” Rory McIlroy has been called out by many names over the years. In fact, back in 2023, he was criticized by a fellow golfer for acting immaturely during a practice session of the Dubai Desert Classic. Now, with his recent gesture, old names are returning with criticism. But not all were criticizing or judging. The No Laying Up page reposted the video, advising, “You just don’t do that!” The podcaster has talked about McIlory immensely this season, but with the move, the Irishman is already getting warning signs.

Another follower wrote, “The European press would still be talking about that in 2053 if the roles were reversed,” and “All class as always from Europe.” In the past, there have been numerous instances of heated arguments among European golfers. For instance, Seve Ballesteros. There’s no shortage of tense moments when it comes to the Spaniard in the Ryder Cup. Be it with Curtis Strange in 1987 or the ones with Azinger during the 1989 and 1991 Ryder Cups. But despite that, the fans believe that if an American did that to the European supporters, the media would stretch it for longer than required. Considering the stature of Rory McIlroy, we can see why the fans are reacting the way they are. Was it surprising for you? Share your thoughts with us below.