Multiple Ryder Cup fans were removed from the premises at Bethpage Black following aggressive heckling directed at Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry on Saturday afternoon.
The continuous taunting of Team Europe’s players, especially McIlroy, has been a recurring issue over the weekend in Long Island, New York. However, the situation escalated during the second day’s four-ball matches, resulting in several spectators being ejected.
According to reports, additional security was deployed to the match involving McIlroy and Lowry against Justin Thomas and Cameron Young. This move came shortly after McIlroy insisted on pausing the game until the crowd was silenced.
Shane Lowry also had an intense exchange with a fan, an incident that was captured on video. Though the exact insults remain unknown, it was clear that Lowry was visibly upset. His caddie seemed to intervene, and Lowry subsequently singled out the fan to security.
Later, after McIlroy successfully made a putt on the 14th hole, putting him and Lowry in the lead, he turned to the crowd and emphatically shouted in celebration. Police officers, accompanied by dogs, were present around the green to help ensure the situation remained under control.
As tensions continued, more police were positioned in the area. The Ryder Cup officials have additional personnel ready to intervene if crowd behavior becomes unruly. Authorities reported they were also instructed to monitor Bryson DeChambeau’s group amid concerns that emotions could escalate further. DeChambeau was paired with World No 1 Scottie Scheffler, taking on Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Rose.
Shane Lowry just had to be held back from going after someone in the crowd…
I’ve never seen anything like this at a golf tournament before. pic.twitter.com/5G2sS90u2o
— Flushing It (@flushingitgolf) September 27, 2025
Things got nasty at the Ryder Cup on Saturday with fans targeting Rory McIlroy
Police presence increased as bad behavior threatened to overshadow the second day
McIlroy yelled ‘f***ing come on’ as he converted a vital putt on 14 to take the lead
The Daily Mail also witnessed a police officer telling one fan to ‘quiet the f*** down’ after one particular heckle, and it is understood that some of the shouts at McIlroy and Lowry have included jibes over their wives, families and physical appearance.
Fans have also begun to boo the big screens around Bethpage Black whenever messages are shared warning them about ‘abusive behavior’.
The unsavory atmosphere at Bethpage Black has been gradually increasing since the tournament began on Friday, with McIlroy seen holding up his middle finger to fans as he walked off the course on day one.
Supporters in the grandstand then chanted ‘f*** you, Rory’ to the Northern Irishman when he arrived on the first tee on Saturday morning, only for him to blow kisses in return.
McIlroy then bit back again during the foursomes a few hours later, shouting ‘Guys, shut the f*** up’ after jeers continued while he was trying to play a shot.
The tension coincides with Europe strengthening their lead on Saturday morning, moving 8.5-3.5 ahead of the United States just 30 miles outside of Manhattan.
Ahead of the tournament, families of players on both sides chose to stay away from the event due to fears of things getting nasty in the crowd.
Matt Fitzpatrick said his parents were skipping the competition, explaining: ‘They didn’t have a great experience in Whistling Straits (in 2021). That’s not a lie or anything or making anything up.
Extra security rushed to the scene to try and quell the jeers of the American fans
Tension between specatators and players were heating up as the tournament progressed
‘It’s a lot of travel, it’s obviously a busy week. It’s a tiring week. And then they obviously want to have a nice week as well.
‘No denying that they had a bad experience in the past, but there’s no reason why it has to be like that this time. Obviously I’ll miss them this week for sure, but they are doing what’s best for them, and that’s what’s important.’
Fitzpatrick was competing alongside Tyrell Hatton on Saturday afternoon, against USA’s Sam Burns and Patrick Cantlay.
Xander Schauffle’s father Stefan said he is missing the event in part because of crowd trouble and also because of Rory McIlroy’s infamous clash with Cantlay’s caddie Joe LaCava in Rome, in the parking lot of the golf course.
‘I’m afraid of what’s going to happen in New York,’ he said. ‘I was there [at Whistling Straits] when they called Shane Lowry’s wife a w**** in front of him. I couldn’t believe my ears.
‘Then I saw what happened in Rome. That was utterly disgusting claiming this money bull—- and Rory [McIlroy] behaved disgustingly in my opinion. It’s only going to get worse. It’s ruined my appetite for the Ryder Cup. It becomes unwatchable.’
More to follow.
