Rory McIlroy, the Northern Irish world No. 2 golfer, has spoken out strongly about the behaviour of some spectators during the 2025 Ryder Cup held at Bethpage Black in New York. McIlroy described the treatment directed at his family — including his young daughter — as “horrific”, drawing attention to what he sees as abusive and unacceptable conduct from parts of the crowd.
Speaking during a recent podcast appearance, McIlroy said he expected a hostile atmosphere at the U.S. venue but that the actual experience far exceeded his expectations. Though some level of antagonism is common in Ryder Cup competition, he emphasised that comments and heckling that crossed into personal and family territory were beyond what he considered normal sport-related ribbing.
Abuse Toward Family
McIlroy specifically called out the “mob mentality” that he believes took over parts of the crowd, noting that a relatively small number of hostile individuals could distort the overall environment among the 50,000 spectators. While he said he expected fans to direct criticism at him, he drew a firm line when insults targeted his wife and daughter — remarks he described as too offensive to repeat.
Ryder Cup Atmosphere
The event itself saw Team Europe defeat Team USA 15-13, but McIlroy stressed that the behaviour from some spectators overshadowed aspects of the competition. He compared the experience to the famously raucous 2016 Ryder Cup but said this time it was significantly worse.
Leadership and Responsibility
McIlroy also spoke about leadership — both from within the European and U.S. teams — noting that while playing into a home-field advantage is expected, there were missed opportunities to appeal to fans’ sense of sportsmanship. He suggested that U.S. team captain Keegan Bradley could have used his platform to encourage a more respectful environment during key moments of the competition.
Public Reaction and Discussions
Broad discussions about fan behaviour at the Ryder Cup have taken place across sports media and social platforms. Some commentators and fans have condemned the abusive behaviour, calling it unsportsmanlike and inappropriate for golf, a sport traditionally associated with respect and etiquette. Others have debated whether intense crowd involvement is part of modern sporting culture — though many echo McIlroy’s view that personal abuse crosses the line.
In summary, Rory McIlroy’s comments shine a spotlight on how competitive atmospheres at major sporting events can sometimes devolve into abusive behaviour that affects players’ families. His use of the term “horrific” reflects not just his reaction to the personal remarks made by some fans, but also a wider concern about how crowd conduct can impact athlete well-being and family-friendly environments in sport.
