Rory McIlroy has had to put up with plenty of abuse from fans at the Ryder Cup, but the Northern Irishman finally got his own back when he was distracted by a rubber duck
Rory McIlroy swiftly identified a disruptive spectator causing chaos on the 10th tee at Bethpage Black. The Northern Irishman has endured considerable heckling throughout the past three days, shouting back at supporters and witnessing a beverage hurled at his spouse.
He’s been compelled to retreat whilst preparing his shot on multiple occasions due to fans breaking the hush with taunts or boisterous jeers.
On this occasion, though, the interruption arrived via a squeaky rubber duck. The initial squeak emanated from behind the tee area, reports the Mirror US.
READ MORE: Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler know what they each think ahead of Ryder Cup duelREAD MORE: Ryder Cup fans FIGHT in stands as police scramble to contain ugly scenes
The spectator then relocated and pressed it once more to the left. McIlroy stepped back from his shot and instantly identified the culprit.
Security personnel and Team Europe members immediately rushed into the crowd of onlookers, though the offender had already begun fleeing.
He didn’t escape justice, however.
A Team Europe representative returned minutes later and informed those around, “We got him.”
When confronted, the individual claimed, “It wasn’t me.”
Yet when requested to empty his pockets, he produced a small rubber duck.
The disruption and hold-up clearly affected McIlroy as he snap-hooked his driver low and right.
He subsequently double-bogeyed the hole and surrendered it to Scottie Scheffler.
The problem, though, stems from the Ryder Cup’s own creation.
Whilst some suspected the ducks were being smuggled inside – it transpires they were actually being distributed at on-site bars. For every Cherry Fairway Fizz purchased – a $17.50 cocktail crafted from Sugarland Ryder Cup Cherry Limeade Moonshine, cherry, and lime – a complimentary Sugarlands Shine duck was handed out.
Venues received a sack of ducks each morning, and by the moment McIlroy had dropped the 10th, a local establishment had run completely dry.
One punter clutching a duck revealed he relished using it to wind up the police dogs.
Upon learning what had befallen McIlroy, he chucked it straight in the rubbish.
Whilst McIlroy continued to face mockery, personal abuse, and boos on Sunday, the mood was considerably more subdued than the previous day.
Extra officers had been brought in following McIlroy’s rough treatment.
Tensions nearly erupted when fourball partner Shane Lowry was restrained from confronting a supporter.
Reflecting on the spectators following his Saturday round, McIlroy remarked: “Look, you know, when you play an away Ryder Cup, it’s really, really challenging.
“It’s not for me to say [if the crowds went too far]. 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.”