It's been a dominant showing for Europe at the 2025 Ryder Cup, but it hasn't been without controversy.
With the event taking place in the United States at Bethpage Black, American fans have been working to get into the heads of Europe's golfers, namely Rory McIlroy. As the action went on Saturday, hecklers hurled insults at McIlroy and teammate Shane Lowry, and things escalated to the point where there was an increased police presence flanking the golfers in an attempt to calm fans.
Both McIlroy and Lowry responded to the fans, heightening the tensions around the competition. Here is more on what was said and why the hecklers zeroed in on the McIlroy-Lowry pairing.
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Why is Rory McIlroy getting heckled?
McIlroy is getting heckled by American fans attempting to throw him off his game.
The 2025 Ryder Cup is taking place at Bethpage Black in New York, and fans of the United States' team made the environment hostile for the visitors by heckling McIlroy. The fans were also able to elicit reactions from McIlroy throughout the day.
What was said to Rory McIlroy?
McIlroy was peppered with insults and profane statements at Bethpage Black.
Fans chanted "F— you, Rory," at various times, according to multiple accounts, and the profane statement could be heard through the broadcast. McIlroy was called "ugly" and heckled about some of the shortcomings during his PGA career, as fans chanted "Choker!" and "Remember Pinehurst!"
A Golf Digest story detailed the inappropriate nature of some of the verbal attacks, which included slurs playing off of McIlroy's Northern Irish heritage, homophobic insults, and jeers related to his marital status and family life.
Saturday, a beer was thrown over McIlroy and his wife, Erica Stoll.
This is the incident yesterday where a member of the crowd threw a beer over Rory McIlroy and his wife Erica at the Ryder Cup.
— Flushing It (@flushingitgolf) September 28, 2025
This is unacceptable and I really hope we don’t see scenes like this again today. Let’s just celebrate a great spectacle of golf 🤝
🎥 @MovistarGolf https://t.co/2nTE1YHKR7 pic.twitter.com/vIdOGcdKbb
McIlroy did take matters into his own hands at times, responding by telling hecklers to "Shut the f— up," and returning their "F— you," chants.
When asked if the crowd went too far, McIlroy took the high road and said, "It’s not for me to say. People can be their own judge of whether they took it too far or not. I’m just proud of us for being able to win today with what we had to go through."
McIlroy also expressed that his issue often stemmed from the timing of chants, which often came as he stood over the ball.
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Why do people hate Rory McIlroy?
McIlroy has, at times, been outspoken against LIV Golf and been icy with the media.
Fans have not always been appreciative of McIlroy's personality, and he has also let his personality show on the course. As seen at the 2025 Ryder Cup, McIlroy being a fiery competitor means he is more likely to respond to heckling fans.
Who is Heather McMahan
McMahan is an American actress and comedian who was tabbed as the master of ceremonies for the Ryder Cup.
She could be heard leading a "F— you, Rory" chant at Bethpage Black and later stepped down from her role and issued an apology to McIlroy.
"Heather has extended an apology to Rory McIlroy and Ryder Cup Europe,” a spokesperson for the PGA of America told BBC Sport on Sept. 28, statement. “[She] has stepped down from hosting the first tee of the Ryder Cup."