Why did Rory McIlroy curse at fans during the Ryder Cup? Explaining the European's feud with rowdy U.S supporters

Jake Mozarsky

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Why did Rory McIlroy curse at fans during the Ryder Cup? Explaining the European's feud with rowdy U.S supporters image

Rory McIlroy has already had a stellar 2025, highlighted by his first Masters victory in April. He’s carried that strong play into the Ryder Cup.

However, the superstar golfer was caught cursing at fans between holes on Saturday.

Here’s why McIlroy lost his cool with fans in New York.

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Why did Rory McIlroy cuss at fans at the Ryder Cup?

During his pre-shot routine on Saturday, McIlroy told fans to "shut the f--- up!" 

McIlroy went on to hit the shot to the green, where Fleetwood's birdie putt iced the 3-and-2 win for the Europeans.

After, McIlroy commented about the occurrence:

“You know, look, in between shots, say whatever you want to me. That's totally fine…. Whenever they are still doing it while you are over the ball and trying to hit your shot, that's the tough thing.”

Later in the day, McIlroy's teammate Shane Lowry also unleasehed on American fans after making a putt.

As the day went on, McIlory continued to get frustrated at his security for failing to monitor the crowd, who continued to shout obscenities.

It got to a point where McIlroy refused to play until the fans stopped heckling.  

Extra security has been called into the match.

After his match, McIlroy was videoed pointing at the scoreboard while looking at fans.

MORE: Ryder Cup leaderboard 2025

Rory McIlroy Ryder Cup stats

Rory McIlroy’s Ryder Cup career spans seven appearances between 2010 and 2023, with a total record of 16 wins, 13 losses, and 4 ties (16‑13‑4) across 33 matches. His individual format records are:

  • Foursomes: 7‑5‑1

  • Four-ball: 5‑6‑2

  • Singles: 4‑2‑1

At the 2025 Ryder Cup, McIlroy has played three matches and earned 2.5 points — two points in foursomes and 0.5 in four-ball.

MORE RYDER CUP NEWS:

Rory McIlroy Tournament wins

McIlroy's major tally includes the 2011 U.S. Open, the 2012 PGA Championship, the 2014 Open Championship, and his second PGA Championship in 2014. These victories solidified his place as one of the few players -- including Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods -- to win three majors by the age of 25.

Additionally, he has won the Players Championship in 2019 and 2025, captured the FedEx Cup three times, and claimed the Race to Dubai six times.

In 2025, McIlroy finally won the Masters. After years of heartbreak and near misses at Augusta National -- the only major that had eluded him -- he triumphed in a dramatic playoff to claim the Green Jacket. This win made him only the sixth player in history to complete the Career Grand Slam, joining Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods, and cementing his legacy as one of the most successful and complete golfers of all time.

MORE: Tommy Fleetwood's Ryder Cup record

Jake Mozarsky

Jake Mozarsky joined The Sporting News as an Editorial Intern in August 2025 after earning both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Northwestern University. He has previously written for Marquee Sports Network, Chicago This Week, Inside NU and The Daily Northwestern.