Police were forced to intervene after Rory McIlroy stopped and didn’t play a shot until booing and jeering quietened down from the home fans at Bethpage Black Course
Rory McIlroy refused to play a shot at the Ryder Cup until booing and heckling from the United States fans stopped.
The Northern Irishman was about to take a putt on the fifth hole in the fourballs, but stopped after appearing to be on the receiving end of boos and jeers from the home faithful in New York.
McIlroy crouched down, clutched his club in his hands and stood still. He was determined not to take his shot until someone intervened and the fans were told to stop taunting him.
“I am not taking the shot,” McIlroy could be heard saying in a video captured by Sky Sports.
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In the end, police were forced to step in and around 20 officers were seen surrounding fans. Justin Thomas, meanwhile, urged calm as McIlroy and Shane Lowry looked to win their fourballs game.
This wasn’t the first time that McIlroy was the subject to jeers and boos from the US fans during the Ryder Cup.
Indeed, a furious McIlroy swore at American supporters during a heated moment in Saturday morning’s foursomes, after he was heckled by a frustrated-looking crowd at Bethpage Black Course.
McIlroy, who had earlier responded to abuse on the first tee by blowing kisses towards the spectators, backed off from his shot and said: “Guys, shut the **** up.”
The remark drew jeers from the home fans, but McIlroy followed up his comment in the most effective way possible, as he fired his iron shot from the rough to within three feet of the flag.
“I don’t mind them having a go at us. That’s to be expected. That’s what an away Ryder Cup is,” said McIlroy. “Whenever they are still doing it while you are over the ball and trying to hit your shot, that’s the tough thing.
“In between shots, say whatever you want to me. That’s totally fine. “But just give us the respect to let us hit shots, and give us the same chance that the Americans have.”
Europe have a 8½ – 3½ lead just about midway through Saturday’s fourballs. They have been outstanding through the opening two days and guarantee an advantage going into Sunday’s decider.