We all remember the drama Rory McIlroy and his wife faced during the Ryder Cup — the heated exchanges, the public jabs, and even Ron Dea’s apology. However, a viral video is now reigniting the chaos. In it, a voice that sounds like Rory says, “I can accept people insulting me, but I can’t accept people hitting my wife on the head.” But But But It’s not Rory. The clip is AI-generated, yet it’s spreading so fast that many fans are mistaking it for the real thing.

The clip, originally posted on Instagram by @tysonomomedia, falsely claims that the Irishman “not participating in tournaments held in the United States again” and states that “this Ryder Cup was the darkest and the most disgraceful match I have ever experienced.” Well, the original clip didn’t go as viral, but it still received a lot of hate towards Rory McIlroy. The comment section was mostly filled with negativity towards Ror, believing the clip to be real, with one user stating, “Typical Rory. Always blaming someone else. Just stay in Europe if you hate it here so much.”

The clip went viral, garnering over a million views when Rick Golf reposted it, and the comments section was flooded with more negativity from the US crowd towards Rory. One user wrote, “He has become a malcontent and a whiner. I couldn’t give two craps if Rory is in a tournament that I watch. Scottie is the better golfer and much easier to support.” Another added, “Does he think we really give a s**t. What a pompous a**😂.”

Rory McIlroy has stayed silent on the viral deepfake, letting his game speak instead. Golf journalists and fan pages quickly called it out as fake, urging platforms to act. His silence shows the frustration and fatigue athletes face in today’s AI-driven world.

The incident highlights golf’s growing problem with digital abuse and fan toxicity. Players like Ian Poulter and Jon Rahm have also spoken about online harassment and the lack of accountability among fans. With AI fueling misinformation, golf’s calm image is being tested like never before.

McIlroy joins stars like LeBron James, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Serena Williams, all victims of AI-generated fabrications. As deepfakes spread rapidly, athletes remain easy targets while platforms struggle to respond.

For McIlroy, a vocal figure in golf’s biggest debates, this is a stark reminder that in the AI age, one fake video can damage years of reputation in seconds.

Ryder Cup Backdrop, McIlroy and the U.S. Fan Frenzy

Bethpage Black proved to be a pressure cooker during the 2025 Ryder Cup, with this year’s US fans being the most hostile and rowdy crowd in the history of Ryder Cups. Officials even ignored the American hecklers’ misbehavior toward European players; “almost went unnoticed” is what Robert MacIntyre pointed out. 

This isn’t the only moment players have had to deal with disruptive fans. Rory McIlroy was forced to remove a spectator from the stands due to the amount of abuse the fan was throwing towards him mid-play. Europe Team Captain Luke Donald appreciated Rory McIlroy’s approach, “planned tactic,” which is what he called it, as it helped him maintain composure while taking care of rowdy fans and hecklers without escalating the situation. 

The aggressive crowd behavior at Bethpage wasn’t limited to isolated incidents. Many players and critics debated whether the rowdy etiquette of U.S. spectators had gone too far at this Ryder Cup, given the sheer amount of abuse the European players and their supporters had to endure. McIlroy’s calm responses really undermine how tough it was for players to perform in such a hostile situation. 

In the end, the tense atmosphere, Europe’s win, and frustrated U.S. fans all contributed to the video’s rapid spread, illustrating how real-life tensions can inadvertently lend false stories unnecessary attention, ultimately leading to reputation-degrading storylines for something Rory McIlroy didn’t even say.