Angry McIlroy swears at rowdy US fans in Ryder Cup

In a heated moment on Saturday during the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, a furious Rory McIlroy yelled at American fans.

The Northern Irishman was about to hit the 16th green when a crowd member heckled him and yelled “freedom” at him.

The European talisman retreated from his shot after earlier retaliating with abuse on the first tee by kissing the spectators. “Guys, shut the **** up!

McIlroy responded to his comment with the most effective way possible by firing his iron shot from the rough to the flag, but the remark attracted the crowd’s applause.

Tommy Fleetwood, the Masters champion, and Harris English and Collin Morikawa, both won by the shot to earn a 3&2, 2 victory for Europe.

“I don’t mind them attacking us,” I reply. That is expected, of course. An away Ryder Cup is what, according to McIlroy.

The difficult thing is when they keep doing it while you’re over the ball and trying to hit your shot. Say anything to me in between shots. That is entirely acceptable.

“But just show us the respect to let us hit shots, and give us the same chance as Americans.”

McIlroy, a five-time major champion, has previously stated that he felt he had too much resentment with obnoxious home fans prior to the US’s crushing 19-9 defeat at Whistling Straits and not enough when he lost to the US at Hazeltine in 2016.

At Bethpage Black, there have been numerous instances of visiting players being abused by fans, with McIlroy, Shane Lowry from Ireland, and Robert MacIntyre from Scotland among the most notorious victims over the course of the first two days.

However, it hasn’t been as hostile as the Ryder Cup that was held in New York in 1999, “Battle of Brookline.”

Tickets for the three days of the competition start at $750 (£566) per person, with the suggestion that Bethpage has a larger corporate audience as a result of those high prices.

Additionally, it’s likely that Europe’s sparkling performance helped to at least some of the anticipated “bear pit” atmosphere.

The most successful Solheim Cup player in Europe, Dame Laura Davies, said on Sky Sports, “Luke [Donald] told them what was coming, but because of how they have played, they have not had to put up with much.”